Let's dive right into our reading today.
This chapter, John chapter six, begins with the passover drawing near and the Lord feeding five thousand plus people with just a few pieces of bread and fish. The miracle marveled the people and the followers so much that Jesus perceived they would take Him and force Him to be King over them; so He withdrew into the mountains (v1-15).
People began to follow Jesus and look for Him just so they can be fed more food; but Jesus warned them to follow Him for the bread of life that endures forever. This is what we need to be following Jesus for; not to get a blessing of money to live good in this life; that would be nice as a bonus, but we really want to live eternally with Him.
35And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
When I was a boy and my dad read this to me; I would beg him to buy this bread at the store. Not knowing as a child he was giving me the bread everyday we read the bible.
Let's pay attention to some of what Jesus says here as He speaks and weeds out fake followers:
38For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
39And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
Even if the Old Testament God was the Father, the one that many people call the mean God, who did the eye for and eye, and killed people for what seemed like small things; Jesus still came and was sent by the Father to do the Father's will.
One of the things that is the Father's will is that Jesus will lose nothing and no one; but raise all people up on the last day! Tomorrow will be here so it is not the last day. And it did not say the last day of your life. It says the last day. The last day for man is the 7th day; that is when all people will be raised from the dead and judged. So coinciding with our Old Testament readings, we gain understanding from Jesus that the dead love ones we have lost are still resting in the ground until the last day.
40And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. Again this is mentioned by Jesus. Now if you believe that your love one was smiling down on you; you would have slowly departed from Jesus at this speech because He would have been too offensive with His truth.
People were confused how Jesus would say He came down from Heaven when they saw Him born to Mary and Joseph. 44No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. Still Jesus continues to make His point about raising the dead on the last day into eternal life.
51I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. The Jews were confused; how are we going to eat this man?
53Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
54Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
Again the last day is brought up; but He also told the Jews to drink His blood. This is freaky now. Is Jesus talking about His actual body or some bread and blood He will provide for you from a store? Jesus knew He had to make this plain if His own disciples were confused at it and offended.
63It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
The spirit makes alive, the flesh is nothing; you cannot eat the actual Jesus and live, the words that He speaks, they are spirit and they are life. Eat Jesus words and live; and His words begin in Genesis, where we began this journey.
66From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
68Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
69And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
Many left; but the twelve stayed and Peter voiced that we know and are sure you are the Messiah, the son of the living God. Jesus has the words of eternal life. Every day we read them and do them; we bring ourselves closer to living eternally. This is the healthiest bread on the planet.
1After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.
2Now the Jew's feast of tabernacles was at hand.
Jesus prepares to go to the feast of Tabernacles. He had to be discreet about it because He knew the Jews in Jerusalem wanted to kill Him. Jesus own brothers did not believe Him that He was the Messiah, so they tempted Him to go on down to Jerusalem and show His great works.
5For neither did his brethren believe in him.
6Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.
7The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.
Quite naturally this is why Christianity is accepted today and we know that it is watered down is because Christ-like people are suppose to show the world they are acting evil. However, much is condoned by Christians. That would be fine if Christians said you can do that all you want; but you will not do that in the Church. No. They allow wickedness to take place in the church for the sake of money and acceptance. Certain things Christians should be calling people out on; but they don't so they are not hated. Jesus called people out on their behavior, thus He was hated.
Jesus left for the feast of Tabernacles, which takes place usually around September or October on the Roman calendar, He left after His brothers left and went secretly. And the Jews were all looking for Him and waiting on Him to kill Him.
People were 50/50 on Jesus, some thought He was deceiving, some thought He was a true prophet. The people who thought good of Him did not speak openly for fear of the Jews. The Pharisees would kick them out the church and more probably so no one openly spoke positive of Jesus.
14Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.
15And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
16Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
Jesus was a bold man; knowing the Jews are looking to kill Him, He went right into the temple and started to teach. People were amazed because Jesus had no formal education. In today's world people will not hold respect for a man who is not educated and wants to teach the bible or be pastor. However, they'd listen to a millionaire who dropped out of school teach them how to make money. Jesus was not educated in man's education; He was educated by the Father. That is all that counts. And His doctrine wasn't His; but was the Father's who sent Him.
25Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?
26But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?
Where are those people who said they were going to kill Jesus; yet He is up there boldly speaking. This made some people believe that He is the Messiah.
The feast of Tabernacles goes for seven days then on the Eight day there is a big great feast (Leviticus 23). 37In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. Jesus makes another plea to the people because this is the last time Israel will see Him collectively. The next feast will be the passover and unleavened bread and the passover He will be killed. So He is making a last plea for the people to listen to His words.
40Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.
41Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?
42Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?
43So there was a division among the people because of him.
Many were convinced He was a prophet from God, others said He is the Messiah; but they were hung up on the fact that He came from Galilee because the scripture said He'd come from Bethlehem as we read. They were divided on this. We know that He came from Bethlehem but because His father Joseph feared Herod, He moved the family up to Nazareth in Galilee. Nonetheless, Jesus was and is from Bethlehem.
The officers of the Pharisees who were suppose to take Jesus couldn't do it because they were caught up in what He was teaching.
46The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.
And the high priest and high officials reemphasized that no prophet or Messiah comes out of Galilee in the scriptures, go look it up.
52They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet. They said this because Nicodemus was convinced that Jesus was from God, although Nicodemus was a Pharisee.
1Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
3And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
The unrighteousness of the Pharisees tried to catch Jesus reaction to a woman caught committing adultery. They only brought a woman; but not the man. I always thought it took two to tangle. Jesus dropped the bomb on them telling the person without sin throw the first stone. By the time Jesus looked up, everyone was gone except the woman. And He forgave her and told her to sin no more.
Jesus Validates Himself:
31Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Many quote verse 32 leaving out verse 31. You have to continue in the Word of the Lord, then you are His followers and you will know the truth, which will make you free.
Abraham's Seed:
33They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? They were in bondage in Egypt, to the Assyrians, the Philistines, the Babylonians, the Medes, the Persians, the Greeks, and were currently under the Romans. This is what being brain dead is all about. But Jesus said your biggest bondage is to sin.
38I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. Jesus acknowledge they were from Abraham physically, but spiritually they had different Father's.
40But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
41Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Jesus is about to get real harsh with them; but they needed it. Some people need a good slap in the face; it might just wake them up or wake someone who watched them get slapped.
44Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
45And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
Jesus simply tells them; they are of the devil because they believe lies. You know when you've been lied to over and over again, the lie appears to be truth insomuch that when the truth shows up, it looks like a flat out lie. Things had gotten to that point with the Pharisees, and have certainly got there with our generation. Going to heaven has been taught so much; that if you actually go tell people there is no going to heaven, the Lord is coming down here, they will laugh at you and walk away. Try it a few times just for kicks.
47He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. We all need to do a self check.
58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
59Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
And we should take up stones to stone Him too; because either He blasphemed or Jesus is the God of the Old Testament. He was here, as John chapter 1 said, the Word was with God and it was also God. Jesus just told them before Abraham was, He was and used the very name the Lord sent Moses to tell the people His name was. So when Jesus said no one has ever seen the Father nor heard His voice, what He is saying to us is that the GOD that the children of Israel saw, was Him.
It was Jesus the Christ. His name was Jehovah or Yahweh and when He came in the flesh, He came in His Father's name, Jesus. Pretty simple to understand. It's basic mathematics; if you've never seen one guy, and there is only two and you've seen one them, then it is the other. Let me try that again. If Mark and Dave exist and you've seen one of them, but you've never seen Dave, then who have you seen? Riddle me this, riddle me that!
We've never seen the Father, we have only seen the son, Jesus, Jesus is the God we have been reading about throughout the bible.
John Chapter 9
Jesus heals a man that was born blind and the Pharisees give the man and his family a tough time trying to verify that he was blind from birth in order to discredit Jesus as a healer. It's a very funny story as it is read. The blind man makes a very valid point to the Pharisees that we should take not on.
31Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
32Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.
33If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
The Lord does not hear the prayer of sinners and does not help people who consciously sin against Him.
1Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
2But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
This chapter is about Jesus being the Good Shepherd and how His flock know Him.
9I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. Jesus is the door into the kingdom of God. If you attempt to go straight to the Father you will not get in. One must go through Jesus Christ.
11I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
14I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
16And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
The other sheep are the rest of the nations who want to serve the Lord. The current sheep of the Lord Is the nation of Israel; but He has more that are not of Israel's fold that He must bring.
18No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. No one forced Jesus to die, no one forcefully killed Him. He allowed it and did it on His own will.
30I and my Father are one. That is one of the same. We are both on the same page and we both want the same things.
The Jews wanted to stone Jesus for this saying; but He replied with an even bigger saying:
34Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? Is it not written in the Psalms we read earlier during this period of reading the Word, that GOD said we are gods? Jesus told them isn't it written in the law, I said you are gods? Jesus took clean credit for saying this didn't He?
Jesus said if the scriptures cannot be broken why are you mad that I said I am God?
41And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.
42And many believed on him there. John was revered as a prophet and he did not do any miracles; but everything he said Jesus would do; Jesus has done. So many believe on that faith.
1Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
Jesus is preparing to do a wonderful miracle in raising Lazarus from the dead. Some important statements are made we should pay close attention towards. Jesus knew He was going to perform a great miracle; usually when He revived someone from death, it was moments after they died, or hours, with Lazarus He is really going to show the power of God.
4When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby
6When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. When He heard Lazarus was ill; He didn't leave immediately but waited because He was going to show the glory of God the Father to let people know that He is the Son of God sent by the Father.
11These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
We have to realize that to the Lord when someone dies; it is nothing but sleep to them. At the resurrection they will wake up like it was a short nap. It is death; but they are not gone forever as if they were thrown in the lake of fire. They are only sleeping.
The disciples did not know what that meant so Jesus told them plainly that Lazarus is dead and by the time the got to Lazarus, they found he was dead for four days already in the tomb.
Martha heard Jesus coming and went to speak with Him and said:
21Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
22But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
She knew that Jesus can ask the Father and still deliver Lazarus. She had great faith in the Lord.
23Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
24Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
Martha said she knows that she will see her brother again at the resurrection at the last day! It is the last day we are looking for.
35Jesus wept.
42And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
Jesus did this so that the people will believe that Jesus was sent by the Father and did not show up on His own doing His own things.
45Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
46But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.
The Pharisees were told this and they met to see what they could do about Jesus. Jesus is performing great works and they are worried about their job in the church and their nation under the Romans. This is what you call sincerely evil practice and we have the same things going on today.
49And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
50Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
51And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
52And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
53Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
Here the high priest Caiaphus let's us know that He knew Jesus was the Messiah and wickedly plotted to have Him killed in an evil manner. When one has been doing something wrong, it becomes hard to turn over and do the thing correct even in the face of all truth. Someone telling a lie over and over, even when they are given the facts, it is too difficult to lay down and come clean.
This is what the Pharisees had come across; they had being conducting the house of the Lord incorrect and when Jesus showed up they figured He'd give the work of God to His followers, even if they took correction. So they continue to deny the Messiah and lie that Jesus is not the Christ.
Before they said that no prophet comes out of Galilee; but now they are plotting to have Jesus die, as prophesied, for the nation and the whole world. And this they used as their reason behind killing Him. Instead of catching Him and saying He blaspheme God, they should have said, He is the Messiah that must die for the sins of the nation and world; then have Him killed.
1Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
2There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
This shows us that Lazarus was back to his normal self, eating and talking, he wasn't risen from the dead to be bed ridden.
10But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
11Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
12On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
13Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Jesus did this miracle shortly before His entry into the city at the passover feast this is why so many were shouting "hosanna" meaning saved now, and calling Him King of Israel, because they were convinced He was the Messiah, and the Messiah comes in the name of the Lord and is the King of Israel.
18For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.
This obviously angered the Pharisees. It is like having a huge church today, such as Joel Osteen, and Jesus coming and sweeping all your followers away. Instead of the Pharisees bowing out as John the baptist had done, the get jealous and content against the Almighty God.
The Pharisees even saw that the Gentiles were excited to see Jesus as some Greeks came up and asked to see Him. Jesus know the game was over now; He will be glorified.
23And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
25He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
I use to find myself saying this and still do that I hate this life because nothing last including the people. We lose loved ones, there is evil every where, people are hungry, people are dying, people are crying, and a good percentage have billions of dollars, yet they harvest it in bank accounts. They have enough to pay France 10 times over, they could feed the entire continent of Africa and South America; instead they do nothing. Who could love this life, this world?
Jesus praying to the Father
27Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
28Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
29The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
30Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
Jesus did not want to die, but He knew this is why He even took on this mission. This mission included Him dying. Do you notice it never says the Father spoke back to Him; but it always says "a voice?" It is because the angels do the talking for God to men.
Wanting the Praise of Men Rather Than God
42Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
43For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
Loving your job or position is to love this life and you will lose it as the Lord said.
48He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
1Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
Jesus loved His followers all the way to the end; even though they deserted Him in Gethsemane, at the passover, He washed their feet and showed them how to serve each other. As Peter said, wash my whole body Lord if that is what it takes to be with you.
Being Humble and Serving
13Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 15For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
A New Commandment
34A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
It's new but it's old. How do you love one another? By honoring your parents, not stealing from one another, killing, lying, coveting, committing adultery with another's spouse. This is the best love you can show anyone.
Even if it is a new commandment; it does not replace the old, as Jesus said, I came to fulfill, not destroy the law. The new commandment would just be the 11th one if you want to view it like that.
1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Jesus knows His disciples are becoming sadden that He is preparing to leave; so He comforts them. He is going to build a house with many mansions and will come again to receive us to Himself, so that where He is, we will be with Him also. We already know through scripture that Jesus will be on the earth in Jerusalem.
Jesus tells them that as they have seen Him; they have seen the Father. He is not saying He is the Father; but saying He looks just as the Father looks.
6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
He is the way, the truth, and the life. Trying to get eternal life through any other facets will not work; only through Jesus who is the way, the truth, and the life.
Pray in the Name of Jesus
13And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
15If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
When you pray, pray to the Father in the name of Jesus and He will do it. He also says, if you love Him, keep His commandments, then He will pray to the Father to give you the Comforter to abide with you. These are little tidbits that people overlook and do not do. In prayer, many pray to mother Mary, who is dead. Then some pray and they do not know who they are praying to. Then others do not close the prayer in the name of Jesus, this leaves your prayer incomplete.
21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
You must have His commandments and keep them in order to say that you love the Lord!
The Comforter is the Holy Ghost
26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
I hear a phrase amongst black churches in the Americas that church was so exciting that the nearly, "caught the Holy Ghost." They nearly caught the Comforter? The Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit comes in many forms. In this case the Comforter is an Holy Angel (He makes His angels spirits) that will comfort you with the Words of God in the name of Jesus or will guide you as you read the bible so you have understanding and are comforted.
30Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
People often wonder why they do not see visions from God or Jesus does not appear and speak with us. This tells us why, God does not surround Himself with evil, unless He kills it. This is why He left the children of Israel because He would either kill them or kill them; so He left. So since true followers of Jesus are among the prince of this world, Jesus communes with us through the Comforter and does not speak much with us.
1I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
This is heavy mental, that Jesus is the true vine and the Father is the husbandman. Remember all the parables and Old Testament examples of the vineyard. Every branch that does not bare fruit is taken away and burned in fire (v6). Those that bare fruit, the Lord makes it to bring more fruit. Jesus cleans us with the water, which is His Word. We use to lie and steal and commit adultery and fornication; but we were should in Exodus thou shall not; and we have been cleaned of doing that and even thinking about doing those things.
8Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
9As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
Bearing fruit is through our behavior one; but more importantly is through sharing the Good Word of God to others. Then we will be able to continue in the love of God by keeping His commandments as Jesus kept the Father's commandments.
23He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
24If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
25But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
Also we remember in Psalm chapter two verse two that shows they have taken council against the Lord and His Anointed, all of this has been foretold.
This completes our reading for today. I surely hope Jesus has helped you learn something new today with clarity and understanding and that His words will fill your heart today. See you tomorrow, peace and blessings.
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54Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
Again the last day is brought up; but He also told the Jews to drink His blood. This is freaky now. Is Jesus talking about His actual body or some bread and blood He will provide for you from a store? Jesus knew He had to make this plain if His own disciples were confused at it and offended.
63It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
The spirit makes alive, the flesh is nothing; you cannot eat the actual Jesus and live, the words that He speaks, they are spirit and they are life. Eat Jesus words and live; and His words begin in Genesis, where we began this journey.
66From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
68Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
69And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
Many left; but the twelve stayed and Peter voiced that we know and are sure you are the Messiah, the son of the living God. Jesus has the words of eternal life. Every day we read them and do them; we bring ourselves closer to living eternally. This is the healthiest bread on the planet.
John 7
2Now the Jew's feast of tabernacles was at hand.
Jesus prepares to go to the feast of Tabernacles. He had to be discreet about it because He knew the Jews in Jerusalem wanted to kill Him. Jesus own brothers did not believe Him that He was the Messiah, so they tempted Him to go on down to Jerusalem and show His great works.
5For neither did his brethren believe in him.
6Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.
7The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.
Quite naturally this is why Christianity is accepted today and we know that it is watered down is because Christ-like people are suppose to show the world they are acting evil. However, much is condoned by Christians. That would be fine if Christians said you can do that all you want; but you will not do that in the Church. No. They allow wickedness to take place in the church for the sake of money and acceptance. Certain things Christians should be calling people out on; but they don't so they are not hated. Jesus called people out on their behavior, thus He was hated.
Jesus left for the feast of Tabernacles, which takes place usually around September or October on the Roman calendar, He left after His brothers left and went secretly. And the Jews were all looking for Him and waiting on Him to kill Him.
People were 50/50 on Jesus, some thought He was deceiving, some thought He was a true prophet. The people who thought good of Him did not speak openly for fear of the Jews. The Pharisees would kick them out the church and more probably so no one openly spoke positive of Jesus.
14Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.
15And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
16Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
Jesus was a bold man; knowing the Jews are looking to kill Him, He went right into the temple and started to teach. People were amazed because Jesus had no formal education. In today's world people will not hold respect for a man who is not educated and wants to teach the bible or be pastor. However, they'd listen to a millionaire who dropped out of school teach them how to make money. Jesus was not educated in man's education; He was educated by the Father. That is all that counts. And His doctrine wasn't His; but was the Father's who sent Him.
25Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?
26But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?
Where are those people who said they were going to kill Jesus; yet He is up there boldly speaking. This made some people believe that He is the Messiah.
The feast of Tabernacles goes for seven days then on the Eight day there is a big great feast (Leviticus 23). 37In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. Jesus makes another plea to the people because this is the last time Israel will see Him collectively. The next feast will be the passover and unleavened bread and the passover He will be killed. So He is making a last plea for the people to listen to His words.
40Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.
41Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?
42Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?
43So there was a division among the people because of him.
Many were convinced He was a prophet from God, others said He is the Messiah; but they were hung up on the fact that He came from Galilee because the scripture said He'd come from Bethlehem as we read. They were divided on this. We know that He came from Bethlehem but because His father Joseph feared Herod, He moved the family up to Nazareth in Galilee. Nonetheless, Jesus was and is from Bethlehem.
The officers of the Pharisees who were suppose to take Jesus couldn't do it because they were caught up in what He was teaching.
46The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.
And the high priest and high officials reemphasized that no prophet or Messiah comes out of Galilee in the scriptures, go look it up.
52They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet. They said this because Nicodemus was convinced that Jesus was from God, although Nicodemus was a Pharisee.
John 8
2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
3And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
The unrighteousness of the Pharisees tried to catch Jesus reaction to a woman caught committing adultery. They only brought a woman; but not the man. I always thought it took two to tangle. Jesus dropped the bomb on them telling the person without sin throw the first stone. By the time Jesus looked up, everyone was gone except the woman. And He forgave her and told her to sin no more.
Jesus Validates Himself:
31Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Many quote verse 32 leaving out verse 31. You have to continue in the Word of the Lord, then you are His followers and you will know the truth, which will make you free.
Abraham's Seed:
33They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? They were in bondage in Egypt, to the Assyrians, the Philistines, the Babylonians, the Medes, the Persians, the Greeks, and were currently under the Romans. This is what being brain dead is all about. But Jesus said your biggest bondage is to sin.
38I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. Jesus acknowledge they were from Abraham physically, but spiritually they had different Father's.
40But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
41Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Jesus is about to get real harsh with them; but they needed it. Some people need a good slap in the face; it might just wake them up or wake someone who watched them get slapped.
44Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
45And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
Jesus simply tells them; they are of the devil because they believe lies. You know when you've been lied to over and over again, the lie appears to be truth insomuch that when the truth shows up, it looks like a flat out lie. Things had gotten to that point with the Pharisees, and have certainly got there with our generation. Going to heaven has been taught so much; that if you actually go tell people there is no going to heaven, the Lord is coming down here, they will laugh at you and walk away. Try it a few times just for kicks.
47He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. We all need to do a self check.
58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
59Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
And we should take up stones to stone Him too; because either He blasphemed or Jesus is the God of the Old Testament. He was here, as John chapter 1 said, the Word was with God and it was also God. Jesus just told them before Abraham was, He was and used the very name the Lord sent Moses to tell the people His name was. So when Jesus said no one has ever seen the Father nor heard His voice, what He is saying to us is that the GOD that the children of Israel saw, was Him.
It was Jesus the Christ. His name was Jehovah or Yahweh and when He came in the flesh, He came in His Father's name, Jesus. Pretty simple to understand. It's basic mathematics; if you've never seen one guy, and there is only two and you've seen one them, then it is the other. Let me try that again. If Mark and Dave exist and you've seen one of them, but you've never seen Dave, then who have you seen? Riddle me this, riddle me that!
We've never seen the Father, we have only seen the son, Jesus, Jesus is the God we have been reading about throughout the bible.
John Chapter 9
Jesus heals a man that was born blind and the Pharisees give the man and his family a tough time trying to verify that he was blind from birth in order to discredit Jesus as a healer. It's a very funny story as it is read. The blind man makes a very valid point to the Pharisees that we should take not on.
31Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
32Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.
33If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
The Lord does not hear the prayer of sinners and does not help people who consciously sin against Him.
John 10
2But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
This chapter is about Jesus being the Good Shepherd and how His flock know Him.
9I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. Jesus is the door into the kingdom of God. If you attempt to go straight to the Father you will not get in. One must go through Jesus Christ.
11I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
14I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
16And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
The other sheep are the rest of the nations who want to serve the Lord. The current sheep of the Lord Is the nation of Israel; but He has more that are not of Israel's fold that He must bring.
18No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. No one forced Jesus to die, no one forcefully killed Him. He allowed it and did it on His own will.
30I and my Father are one. That is one of the same. We are both on the same page and we both want the same things.
The Jews wanted to stone Jesus for this saying; but He replied with an even bigger saying:
34Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? Is it not written in the Psalms we read earlier during this period of reading the Word, that GOD said we are gods? Jesus told them isn't it written in the law, I said you are gods? Jesus took clean credit for saying this didn't He?
Jesus said if the scriptures cannot be broken why are you mad that I said I am God?
41And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.
42And many believed on him there. John was revered as a prophet and he did not do any miracles; but everything he said Jesus would do; Jesus has done. So many believe on that faith.
John 11
Jesus is preparing to do a wonderful miracle in raising Lazarus from the dead. Some important statements are made we should pay close attention towards. Jesus knew He was going to perform a great miracle; usually when He revived someone from death, it was moments after they died, or hours, with Lazarus He is really going to show the power of God.
4When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby
6When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. When He heard Lazarus was ill; He didn't leave immediately but waited because He was going to show the glory of God the Father to let people know that He is the Son of God sent by the Father.
11These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
We have to realize that to the Lord when someone dies; it is nothing but sleep to them. At the resurrection they will wake up like it was a short nap. It is death; but they are not gone forever as if they were thrown in the lake of fire. They are only sleeping.
The disciples did not know what that meant so Jesus told them plainly that Lazarus is dead and by the time the got to Lazarus, they found he was dead for four days already in the tomb.
Martha heard Jesus coming and went to speak with Him and said:
21Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
22But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
She knew that Jesus can ask the Father and still deliver Lazarus. She had great faith in the Lord.
23Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
24Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
Martha said she knows that she will see her brother again at the resurrection at the last day! It is the last day we are looking for.
35Jesus wept.
42And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
Jesus did this so that the people will believe that Jesus was sent by the Father and did not show up on His own doing His own things.
45Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
46But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.
The Pharisees were told this and they met to see what they could do about Jesus. Jesus is performing great works and they are worried about their job in the church and their nation under the Romans. This is what you call sincerely evil practice and we have the same things going on today.
49And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
50Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
51And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
52And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
53Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
Here the high priest Caiaphus let's us know that He knew Jesus was the Messiah and wickedly plotted to have Him killed in an evil manner. When one has been doing something wrong, it becomes hard to turn over and do the thing correct even in the face of all truth. Someone telling a lie over and over, even when they are given the facts, it is too difficult to lay down and come clean.
This is what the Pharisees had come across; they had being conducting the house of the Lord incorrect and when Jesus showed up they figured He'd give the work of God to His followers, even if they took correction. So they continue to deny the Messiah and lie that Jesus is not the Christ.
Before they said that no prophet comes out of Galilee; but now they are plotting to have Jesus die, as prophesied, for the nation and the whole world. And this they used as their reason behind killing Him. Instead of catching Him and saying He blaspheme God, they should have said, He is the Messiah that must die for the sins of the nation and world; then have Him killed.
John 12
2There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
This shows us that Lazarus was back to his normal self, eating and talking, he wasn't risen from the dead to be bed ridden.
10But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
11Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
12On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
13Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Jesus did this miracle shortly before His entry into the city at the passover feast this is why so many were shouting "hosanna" meaning saved now, and calling Him King of Israel, because they were convinced He was the Messiah, and the Messiah comes in the name of the Lord and is the King of Israel.
18For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.
This obviously angered the Pharisees. It is like having a huge church today, such as Joel Osteen, and Jesus coming and sweeping all your followers away. Instead of the Pharisees bowing out as John the baptist had done, the get jealous and content against the Almighty God.
The Pharisees even saw that the Gentiles were excited to see Jesus as some Greeks came up and asked to see Him. Jesus know the game was over now; He will be glorified.
23And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
25He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
I use to find myself saying this and still do that I hate this life because nothing last including the people. We lose loved ones, there is evil every where, people are hungry, people are dying, people are crying, and a good percentage have billions of dollars, yet they harvest it in bank accounts. They have enough to pay France 10 times over, they could feed the entire continent of Africa and South America; instead they do nothing. Who could love this life, this world?
Jesus praying to the Father
27Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
28Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
29The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
30Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
Jesus did not want to die, but He knew this is why He even took on this mission. This mission included Him dying. Do you notice it never says the Father spoke back to Him; but it always says "a voice?" It is because the angels do the talking for God to men.
Wanting the Praise of Men Rather Than God
42Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
43For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
Loving your job or position is to love this life and you will lose it as the Lord said.
48He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
John 13
Jesus loved His followers all the way to the end; even though they deserted Him in Gethsemane, at the passover, He washed their feet and showed them how to serve each other. As Peter said, wash my whole body Lord if that is what it takes to be with you.
Being Humble and Serving
13Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 15For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
A New Commandment
34A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
It's new but it's old. How do you love one another? By honoring your parents, not stealing from one another, killing, lying, coveting, committing adultery with another's spouse. This is the best love you can show anyone.
Even if it is a new commandment; it does not replace the old, as Jesus said, I came to fulfill, not destroy the law. The new commandment would just be the 11th one if you want to view it like that.
John 14
2In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Jesus knows His disciples are becoming sadden that He is preparing to leave; so He comforts them. He is going to build a house with many mansions and will come again to receive us to Himself, so that where He is, we will be with Him also. We already know through scripture that Jesus will be on the earth in Jerusalem.
Jesus tells them that as they have seen Him; they have seen the Father. He is not saying He is the Father; but saying He looks just as the Father looks.
6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
He is the way, the truth, and the life. Trying to get eternal life through any other facets will not work; only through Jesus who is the way, the truth, and the life.
Pray in the Name of Jesus
13And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
15If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
When you pray, pray to the Father in the name of Jesus and He will do it. He also says, if you love Him, keep His commandments, then He will pray to the Father to give you the Comforter to abide with you. These are little tidbits that people overlook and do not do. In prayer, many pray to mother Mary, who is dead. Then some pray and they do not know who they are praying to. Then others do not close the prayer in the name of Jesus, this leaves your prayer incomplete.
21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
You must have His commandments and keep them in order to say that you love the Lord!
The Comforter is the Holy Ghost
26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
I hear a phrase amongst black churches in the Americas that church was so exciting that the nearly, "caught the Holy Ghost." They nearly caught the Comforter? The Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit comes in many forms. In this case the Comforter is an Holy Angel (He makes His angels spirits) that will comfort you with the Words of God in the name of Jesus or will guide you as you read the bible so you have understanding and are comforted.
30Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
People often wonder why they do not see visions from God or Jesus does not appear and speak with us. This tells us why, God does not surround Himself with evil, unless He kills it. This is why He left the children of Israel because He would either kill them or kill them; so He left. So since true followers of Jesus are among the prince of this world, Jesus communes with us through the Comforter and does not speak much with us.
John 15
2Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
This is heavy mental, that Jesus is the true vine and the Father is the husbandman. Remember all the parables and Old Testament examples of the vineyard. Every branch that does not bare fruit is taken away and burned in fire (v6). Those that bare fruit, the Lord makes it to bring more fruit. Jesus cleans us with the water, which is His Word. We use to lie and steal and commit adultery and fornication; but we were should in Exodus thou shall not; and we have been cleaned of doing that and even thinking about doing those things.
8Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
9As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
Bearing fruit is through our behavior one; but more importantly is through sharing the Good Word of God to others. Then we will be able to continue in the love of God by keeping His commandments as Jesus kept the Father's commandments.
23He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
24If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
25But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
Also we remember in Psalm chapter two verse two that shows they have taken council against the Lord and His Anointed, all of this has been foretold.
This completes our reading for today. I surely hope Jesus has helped you learn something new today with clarity and understanding and that His words will fill your heart today. See you tomorrow, peace and blessings.
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Peace & Grace
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