2004 11 Nov

Several times, we see the tears of Jesus in the Gospels. He wept over the city of Jerusalem Luke 19:41-42 and its rejection of both the prophets and Himself. Truly, Jesus was a man of sorrows and compassion. He wept at the tomb of Lazarus. In these tears we see His humanity and emotions we all share. Hebrews 2:16-18 tells of His pity and mercy towards all people. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour (to relieve the difficulty or distress) them that are tempted.

Christ's capacity for tears is in that He was a man of sorrows. He was capable of human sympathy. He did not shed tears for himself, but for others. Some religions teach that God is a God of anger and vindictiveness towards humanity. Christianity teaches that God is a God of love and mercy. He grieves over our sorrows and pain. Christ's occasion for tears is in the death of a friend and the sorrow of Lazarus' beloved sisters. These tears showed that Christ loved people with a much deeper love than most Christians have for one another. The Jews even saw this compassion when they spoke these words, "Behold how He loved him!" Christ could have called Lazarus from the grave without prayer, but He was motivated to pray to show the Jews that it was God that answers prayer. The Jews accused Jesus of doing miracles in Satan's name, but here he openly calls on His Father to identify Himself and His power to perform miracles. Christ's tears assure us that He is a feeling friend, who in all our afflictions is afflicted. They teach us a lesson in sympathy - which we should weep with those who weep. This reminds us that there will come a time when all tears shall be wiped away. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away, Rev. 21:4. What a blessed future for all who believe in the finished work of Christ on the cruel, cruel cross and the resurrection from the grave! RJS

Our title suggests that where human power is sufficient, Divine power, will not be put forth. Jesus could have rolled the stone away with a word. There were men near the tomb who could roll the stone away, therefore, Jesus asked them to do it. Martha says, "He has been dead four days, by now he stinks." In that hot desert area she knew that putrefaction had already begun. Remember there was no embalming in those days, as we know it today. Our Lord will not do for us, what we can do for ourselves. Miracles are super-natural and since we can do the natural, then He does not need to do miracles for us. There are things we cannot do, and that is when Jesus takes over. Jesus specifically called Lazarus from the dead. If He had not, there would have been a general resurrection. He chose only to call one man to come forth from the grave. Lazarus jumped up from that stone slab and bounded from the tomb wrapped in the grave clothes in which he was wrapped four days earlier, as his body was prepared for burial. The windings of cloth were to keep the bones from separating after the decomposition of the flesh and tissues. In a manner of speaking, the grave clothes acted as a coffin to confine the bones until they were pushed further back into the tomb in order that another body might be buried in the same tomb.

The Jews did not believe nor practice the burning of the dead, as did the heathen of that day. Early Christians did not practice cremation, but rather the catacombs give us the record of their burial of the dead in the city of Rome. Amos 2:1 Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime. God was not pleased with cremation or burning of the bones of the king of Edom. Remember, these bodies are to be raised in either the first or second resurrection and tissue shall again grow on them. The body, soul, and spirit will again be one as Christians stand before the Lord at the Bema (judgment) seat of Christ. The lost will stand before Great White Throne in the final judgment. Christians should not practice cremation because the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Our bodies were purchased by the blood of Christ on that cruel, cruel cross. (1 Corinthians 3:12-23; especially vs.17) These are not my words, but the Lord's. RJS

But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. There were unbelieving Jews at the tomb that went immediately to the Jewish leaders and gave an accounting of these events. When the Sanhedrin was called into session by Caiaphas follow-ing the resuscitation of Lazarus to determine what to do with both Lazarus and Jesus, it was to condemn both to death. The Sanhedrin was a mixture of the Pharisees and Sadducees. It is probable that Caiaphas, the current High Priest was a Sadducee, because he was a son-in-law of Annas and Annas was a man of great wealth gained by the merchandising in the Temple enclave, referred to earlier. The reason the Roman governor appointed the High Priest was so that the priesthood did not gain too much power and become seditious toward the Roman government. It seems though that Annas was the power behind Caiaphas. Caiaphas held the office of High Priest from A. D. 18 to 36.

The council did not know how to handle the problem until Caiaphas said the following: 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, John 11:49b-51. You know nothing at all! His judgment was that this Man, Jesus must be sacrificed if the nation were to continue in Rome's favor. His statement was prophetic, not in the way the Priest said it, but by the Godhead in eternity past had determined Jesus was to die for the Jewish nation and also the whole world. And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad, vs. 52. Paul mentions this in (Galatians 4:4-5), But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Yes, to both Jews and Gentiles the door opened wide that all might come to salvation. The High Priest said it, not knowing what he was saying. The Holy Spirit spoke through Caiaphas that day, no prophecy is of private interpretation, 2 Peter 1:20, but for all to hear and heed. What a great God and Saviour we have! Is Jesus yours? RJS

The home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary must have been a large home, or at least had a huge dining room. If all the disciples of Jesus were there, there were 16 or more people at the table. The host, Lazarus, who had been dead, was called back to life by Jesus. Both Jesus and Judas Iscariot would be dead within the week. Mary anointed Jesus feet and was castigated for the wastefulness of the precious ointment. Jesus said, "Let her alone, she is doing this in preparation for my burial". The same day they crucified Jesus, Judas went out and hanged himself, or committed suicide. That is, you see, the reason for the title of today's devotion.

In Jesus' ministry, He had healed the sick, given sight to the blind, made the lame to walk, and finally raised the dead. These were but a few of the signs that were prophecies given in the Old Testament concerning the Messiah. When Christ called forth Lazarus from the tomb, He sealed His own fate as far as the religious leaders were concerned. This, was the straw that broke the camel's back, because by this miracle many of the Jews (religious leaders) turned against the High Priest and became followers of the Christ. Verse 11.

Mary's breaking the box of ointment was a forecast of His death and resurrection. In less than a week, Jesus was going to break the box of Divine Love at Calvary. Mary filled the house with the poignant aroma of sadness and sorrow. Christ was about to fill the world with the sweet aroma of the infinite sacrifice of God's love, grace and mercy. Mary's personal sacrifice did what the Jewish nation should have done. Christ's personal sacrifice did what no other man could do. He opened the door to all who would come in and receive everlasting life. In Mary's love for her Master she was unconscious of her symbolic action and its consequences. Jesus was very conscious of His action, and the depth and its far-reaching effect upon the whole world. Mary's giving her best is an example for us to give of our best to the Master. No genuine love-offering to Christ can be wasted. She was opposed by a man of the world who was about to sell the Master to the religious leaders for 30 pieces of silver; the price of a slave. Mary's gift was equal to 300 pence and was her most valuable possession. "Have you given of your Best to the Master?" RJS

There are three great feasts in the Jewish year: Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. Literally thousands of Jews gathered in Jerusalem for these three feasts. Passover was looking back to the time when God delivered Israel from Egyptian slavery. Passover was the feast of sacrificing the unblemished lamb and a type of the perfect sacrifice that was going to take place in three or four days.

As Jesus entered the city riding the donkey, the pilgrims lined the road from Bethany to Jerusalem's gate and spread palm branches before their King. John 12:15 is the fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. Only Matthew mentioned a donkey along with the colt. A simple explanation of what some call a contradiction is that when Jesus rode the colt, the mother donkey naturally followed along.

It is amazing that Jesus' disciples were so slow to understand. They did not comprehend that their Master was going to die. It was not until after the resurrection and Pentecost that they understood what Isaiah said in Chapters 52:7 through 53:12, of the suffering of Messiah. We cannot be too critical of them, because for most of us, it took some time for our little brains to understand our need for salvation. The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. 18For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. 19The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him, John 12:17-19. The people who were at Lazarus' tomb, saw the restoration of Lazarus, and because of their testimony, many of the Jewish leaders followed Jesus. Lastly, the Pharisees were beside themselves, so much so, that we have their testimony, behold, the world is gone after him. We have another passage from Acts 17:6b, regarding the apostles and the unbelieving Jews. "These that have turned the world upside down are come to Thessalonica also." Would to God, we had witnesses like that today! RJS

A brief summary of the events leading up to today's devotion...in John 10, we see the Lord as the Good Shepherd. The Shepherd lays down His life for His sheep, vvs. 11, 15, 17, 18. In John 11, Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life; He is the Conqueror of death. Life could not be accomplished, but through His death and resurrection. He raises His own. Now we see Him as the Corn of Wheat in our text as:
1) The Corn of Wheat planted in the ground on crucifixion night.
2) The Corn of Wheat germinated for three days in the grave.
3) The Corn of Wheat sprung forth on Resurrection Sunday, and
4) The Corn of Wheat scattered myriad's of grain upon the earth on the
Day of Pentecost.

The apostle Paul says in I Corinthians 15:51-57 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump. The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Returning to our text we see (paraphrased), "Certain Greeks came to worship at the Feast of Passover and said to Philip, 'Sir, we would see Jesus.'" Jesus said, "The hour is come that the Son of Man should be crucified." Prior to the above statement, Jesus said on several occasions, "My time is not yet", or "Mine hour is not come." Now the time and hour was come and Christ knew that it would be soon, even tomorrow. The last two verses 25 & 26 are called the "Test of Discipleship." He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor. Are we really, true followers of Christ? RJS

We will try to give a verse by verse analysis of these 8 verses in our text:
27). A troubled soul, a prayer for deliverance, and complete submission The humanity of Christ shrank from the awful death on the cross. The prayer for deliverance was actually a prayer for strength to endure the physical and spiritual suffering. The acquiescing came from Christ's knowledge that in eternity past, the cross was His destiny.
28). The Fathers' response "I have both glorified and will glorify it." This is not the first time a voice came from heaven. In the Bible there are numerous occasions, too many to list here. God's first words spoken to man is found in Genesis 3:8-10 and the last in Revelation 21:3.
29). There were some people standing by who thought it thundered, others said it was the voice of an angel, but we know it was the voice of the Father to His Son.
30). Jesus' response to the voice was to clarify that it was not for Him, but for the people around Him and a witness from God as to His being the Christ; God's anointed One.
31). What a great prophetic statement, The world is now judged and Satan is defeated. Satan ruined the human race, Christ came to be the progenitor of a new race, "Born again Christians." 2 Corinthians 5:17. Satan thought he was destroying Christ; actually He was destroying himself. Satan would bruise the heel of Christ, but Christ would bruise the head of Satan, (Genesis 3:15) which was fulfilled at the cross.
32-33). An earlier reference to these verses is in John 3:14, where Jesus recalls to the mind of Nicodemus how Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, "Even so must the Son of man be lifted up." The lifting up was to die on the cross. Crucifixion was the most horrible death man had, even to this day, conceived.
34). The Old Testament refers to the Messiah living forever, and He does, but He had to taste of death and be raised the third day, never to die again. He had to take the cross before He could wear the crown. His total submission to the will of the Father provided the Crown. Read Hebrews 1:8-12, where the Father's benediction is upon Christ's suffering for our sins on the cross, and is a fulfillment of Psalms. 45:7-7; Isaiah 9:6-7; John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16-18. RJS

We could think of these verses as Jesus' "Swan song" to the world. The next few chapters are His final teachings to the selected twelve and His appointment with the death of our death. It seems, from the context, that this is the last time Christ talks to the Jewish population and instructs them again, that He is the Light of the world. John mentions in his prologue chapter 1:4-5 and 7-9; In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. - - The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8He (John the Baptist) was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

When we come to chapters 13-16, we see Jesus explaining and teaching his disciples of His death and resurrection. Before movies and TV, when a change was made it was referred to as dropping the curtain, and that's exactly what we see here. Isaiah is quoted in Chpts. 38-40 "Their eyes are blind and their ears are stopped" (a loose translation). They had hardened their hearts as Pharaoh did 2000 years earlier and now they paid the price. Five times in verses 35-46, Jesus refers to Himself as the "Light." And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. Isaiah had seen none other than the Christ, for he is the Lord of Hosts; Jehovah. These things said Isaiah when he saw His glory and wrote of Him. The context of John 12 makes it perfectly clear that this reference is to Jesus. Isaiah 6 gives one of the most beautiful descriptions in the Old Testament writings, and we apply it to Christ. The One born in Bethlehem's manger was the Throne-Sitter before whom the seraphim cried; Holy, Holy, Holy! In our text (vs. 42) we see that many of the Jewish leaders believed on Jesus. The Pharisees were determined to destroy their Saviour. If your faith does not confess Christ, you are still lost in sin. (Luke 12:8-9) RJS

According to Exodus 12, the Jews were to bring the Pascal Lamb and shut it up on the 10th of the month Nisan. It was to be sacrificed on the 14th day. The supper being prepared and called the last supper had to be on the 13th to be consistent with Christ being crucified on the 14th. Verse 2 shows that the Devil had full mastery in Judas' heart. Satan had already put it into the heart of Judas to betray the Lord. According to Matthew 26: 14:16; Mark 14:10-11 and Luke 22:3-6, Judas had gone to the High Priest at an earlier time that day or the day before and agreed to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. To betray one with the kiss of death is the epitome of depravity. Judas' obsession for money and power led to his downfall. Verse 3, Jesus sets an example for all His followers to emulate, humility before God and man. Not just the disciples, that were in the room that night, but for you and me to be humble before God and our fellow men. Jesus humbles himself by taking the part of a slave and prepares to wash the feet of the disciples. He came the first time as a humble servant in order to come the second time as King. The first time He was to wear a crown of thorns, the second time He wears a crown of gold and rules the world and all that is therein. The Apostle referred to himself as a servant in Romans 1:1. The word servant in Greek means (doulos, 64 times in N.T.) "bond-slave", which means you are a slave by choice. A bond slave was one who had been set free, but by choice wanted to continue to serve his master. Paul had been a slave to sin, but now Paul is a slave to Christ, Ephesians 2:1-10. The bond-slave had a hole pierced in lobe of his ear by an awl to show he was a free man, but had chosen to serve his master. Humility is one of the greatest virtues! Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:4-8 RJS

Today's study is a sequel or follow up of yesterday's devotion. Christ was teaching His disciples that they should be as humble as He was. Humility is hard to come by, because we are, by nature, self-centered. You show me a belligerent Christian and I'll show you a person that has never understood the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit. Peter is a typical person, who was always ready to mouth off and do things in an impetuous manner. It was not until the Holy Spirit descended and filled them at Pentecost that there was a drastic change in Peter. The reason I am using Peter here as an illustration is that he almost ordered the Lord not to wash his feet. In washing their feet, Jesus had displayed not only His humility, but His love for them. He had cared for them in holy love. In those days, shoes as we know them, were unheard of. Sandals or thongs were the shoes of that day, therefore walking on the dusty roads of Israel led to dirty feet.

So often we speak of a person's walk as not following his or her talk. If we are walking in Jesus footsteps, our walk and talk will be compatible.

Peter's response shows the spirit of self will in Peter. Jesus response to Peter's words was "The first condition of true discipleship is self- surrender." Then Peter's response is "Wash all of me." It seems that in this statement Peter is in complete submission to the Lord, because he says "My hands and my head also." In the apostle's response, Peter saw himself as totally unclean from head to toe. We Baptists are afraid of Calvinism, but one of Calvin's "tulip teachings" was that we are "totally depraved." Isaiah declared that he was a man of unclean lips. David asked God to Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. Ps. 51:2. David and Isaiah both knew that they were sinners and could do nothing to save themselves. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 15O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. 17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. David's prayer in Ps. 51:14-15, & 17 is from a broken heart. Do your sins cause you to fall before the Lord and pray from a broken and contrite heart? RJS

Beginning in verse 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. The double title is unusual in Scripture, but here it is necessary for the Lord to use Lord and Master, because He was not the Lord and Master of all that were in the room. One of the greatest oxymoron's is to say. "NO, Lord!" You cannot call Him Lord and say no to Jesus. Peter was guilty when he said, "Not me, Lord." 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. The example is humility, and again we choose a verse from the Old Testament, If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 Humility is not something God will give you. You must work hard to attain it and a lot of prayer, because humility is not natural to the natural man. 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. The act of washing feet is given to inspire self-denying acts of kindness to all in need. Literal washing the feet was not practiced among Christians as a church ordinance until the 4th century. Only one other reference is found in the New Testament in I Timothy 5:10, and this does not refer to an ordinance. 17If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. This verse is conditional. The little word "If" leaves us with a great responsibility to do what the Lord asks of us. It is so easy to be a do nothing Christian, but it takes dedication to be obedient.
18I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. Sitting there together, Jesus bares his heart in these words, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. It should have been a joyous occasion as they gathered to share together and enjoy each other's company, but it was a time of sadness for our Lord. He knew that in a short time Judas, who had been in the circle of friends for 3 years, would betray Him. RJS

After the washing of the disciple's feet, we see Judas' exit and defection. This was prophesied in the Psalms. Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me, Ps. 41:9. This verse has a double reference, the first is to David and refers to the time that David suffered because of Ahithpohel, which means "brother of folly." Ahithpohel was one of David's personal counselors who had turned from David in following Absalom and became a co-conspirator with Absalom in 2 Samuel 17:1-3. The second is referring to Judas and his becoming co-conspirator with the enemies of our Lord. Lifting up the heel was a Hebrew idiom meaning "taking action against another." Judas was not suspected by the other disciples; after all, he was the treasurer and was excellent in covering his tracks. He had left no fingerprints to his deceit that they could see. Only Jesus knew that Judas was possessed with the devil.

The scene changes and Simon Peter speaks to John asking him to ask Jesus who the traitor is. He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? 26Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, John 13: 25-26. In Jesus giving the sop, He was taking a small portion of bread, and dipping it in the sauce and handing it to one of the guests. This was a mark of the host honoring that particular individual. You would have thought that this would have led Judas to repent and not go through with his deception, but such was not to be. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. 28Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. 29For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. 30He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night, John 13:27-30. "Men loved darkness rather than light" (John 3:19) is fully understood by the words above, "It was night." Most sin and crime is perpetrated in the night, because the sinner does not want to be identified. Remember, we are children of the "LIGHT", therefore, we walk in the "LIGHT" that we might not stumble and fall. RJS

The Traitor's Departure is the Signal
for the Redeemer's Glorification
John 13:31-35

Therefore when Judas had gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, John 13:31. "The Lord spoke of His death; it was neither as martyrdom nor as a disgrace. There is nothing like this in the other Gospels. Here, John gives us the highest, the Divine, because John reveals Christ as the Son of God. The Saviour contemplates His death on the shameful tree, His glorification. It seems very strange that this was not said when the Dove (Holy Spirit) lighted on Him at His baptism, or when on the Mt. of Transfiguration when His face did shine as the sun and His garments were as white as light. "Now is the Son of Man glorified." What was before Him? The most inhuman torture and suffering a body can go through, the rejection of His Father when He became the embodiment sin for us, the awful shame of hanging before all, naked on the cross, the agony of death to the One who had lived throughout all eternity. It's interesting that Christ should say when looking at the next few days and the suffering that He should say, "Now is the Son of Man glorified."

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. So different from the Ten Commandments, they all present a negative approach. 1. Against polytheism! 2. Against idolatry! 3. Against pro-fanity! 4. Against Sabbath breaking! 5. Against parental dishonor! 6. Against murder! 7. Against killing! 8. Against adultery! 9. Against stealing! 10. Against covetousness! Christ's commandment was as positive as you can get. In Leviticus 18:18 we see the first part of Christ's commandment, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, but our Lord adds a new thought As I have loved you. Most religions, especially oriental, present their gods as judgmental and avenging. These gods can- not see, hear, or speak. They are gods made up of their imagination. Our God is a God of love and compassion and everlasting love. A love that knows no bounds or limitations, a love that reaches from the uppermost to the guttermost. It is an eternal love for lost souls and twice born saints. Do you know and share that love? RJS

There was a very good reason why Peter could not follow Jesus at this time. Peter could not lay down his life before the Lord did His, because Jesus had to die first. If Peter died before the Lord, he would not have been saved, nor could he have preached the two great sermons recorded in the Book of the Acts where over 8,000 were saved. These new Jewish believers were the charter members of the thriving new First Baptist Church in Jerusalem.

While crossing a minefield near Achen, Germany in 1945, we were following another soldier with the mine detector, we were very careful to step in the exact steps of the leader. Why? Because to step aside even a few inches could mean the death of not only the one who missed the right spot, but others who were behind him. Following Christ is like the illustration. It is not a casual stroll, but walking in the exact spot of His foot prints. A song says, "I'm following Jesus," that means following all the way, day by day. Peter learned this in later years and when he wrote his First Letter (Epistle) to the Jews who were scattered all over the Roman empire because of the persecution, he could say: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time, I Peter 1:3-5.

Unfortunately, there are some church members who do not want to follow too close to Jesus. Why? Because they enjoy dabbling in sin and don't want to give up their old way of life. Others are guilty of procrastination. "Never do today what you can do tomorrow." Still others don't really have the faith to believe that they can hold out. The biggest problem is that, we don't have to hold out, we just trust Christ to hold us and give the victory over bad habits, language or whatever it is. This is what is called, "Giving the Holy Spirit control over your whole life." Peter and Paul both learned this lesson and understood the inner working of the Holy Spirit in their lives they became the great men that we read about in the Scriptures. Try it, you'll like it! RJS

Monday, November 15

FAITH BANISHES FEAR AND TROUBLE
John 14:1-7

Faith is essential in times of trouble. The disciples were in fear and trouble because one of their own was about to betray their Master to his enemies. They were troubled and in fear, seeing the Master was troubled in spirit. They were troubled in that Peter was also going to deny the Master. Our Lord had to instill in these men the need for faith in times of trouble. His way of doing that was to tell them of His heavenly home and what His Father had prepared for them. He had to instill in them a faith that could overcome any difficulty. Through the eyes of faith we see things that are not tangible or understood. There are six times that John refers to trouble: 1. troubled waters 5:4-7, 2. and 3. troubled spirit 11:33 and 13:21 4. Troubled soul 12:27, 5. 6. Troubled hearts 14:1 & 27.

Everything the Lord Jesus said and did was to point men and women to the Father. Our greatest responsibility is to love God and enlarge our faith. We are to believe that He is and will do everything he has told us He will do. In Christ, faith in God alone can be perfected. The Lord Jesus is the only ladder between heaven and earth. He is the lowest and highest rung of the ladder. The lowest touching the lowest parts of the earth and the highest touching the eternal throne of heaven.

The Lord turns their attention away from their earthly troubles to their heavenly home and tells them of the mansions, townhouses, apartments, or whatever you want to call the homes we will live in eternally. John tells us in the Revelation Chapter 20:16, just how big that city filled with the residences for the saints will be 12,000 furlongs wide, long, and high. That is equal to 1500 miles wide, long, and high, or 3 billion 375 million cubic miles (3,375,000,000 cubic miles). Nothing in man's mind of construction is equal to that, nor ever will be.

Lastly, Jesus tells Thomas that He (Jesus) is the way, the truth and the life; the only road, the only gate. Jesus is Truth personified. The only life for this life is but a shadow of what that life will be. We can only understand it now by faith, but there will be a time when it will be sight. For we shall see Him as He is and we shall be like Him. What a grand and glorious day that will be. I know I'll be there, will you? It is only attainable by faith and trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross. RJS

Tuesday, November 16

The Christian's Power of Attorney or Unlimited Power
John 14:8-12

Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake, John 14:11. This is a solemn request. The Lord had to descend to the level that He took when speaking to His enemies when He is now speaking to His friends. Though ye believe not me believe the works that ye may know, and believe that the Father is in me and I in him, John 10:38. Jesus says to Philip, If ye will not, on My bare words, believe that I am One with the Father, at least acknowledge the proof of it in My works. How thankful we should be that the Holy Spirit has been given to us, to make clear what was so dark to the disciples. Let us praise God that we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, 1 John 5:20.

And greater than these shall he do, John 14:12. It is important to note that the word "works" in the second clause is not found in the original. This is an insertion by the King James translators. Christ was not now referring to miracles in the technical sense, but of something else, which in magnitude and importance, would far exceed the miracles done by Himself and the apostles. What these greater things were it is not difficult to determine. The preaching of a risen and exalted Savior, and the proclaiming of the Gospel to every creature, the turning of souls from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to the service of the living God; the causing of heathen to demolish the temples of idolatry, and the building of that new temple of living stones of which Christ is both the foundation and the chief-corner stone far surpassed the temple in Jerusalem. These things were far greater than any interference with the course of nature's laws. The Father honored His Son, accepting the perfect works that He had done. Many of the "modern miracle workers" of today who are growing rich on their "healing ministries," but are failing to lead souls to Christ and then disciple them to become strong and faithful Christians. The saddest thing we can think of is when we stand before the Lord at the "Bema Seat," or the throne where Jesus judges the Christians according to our works, is to have no trophies to present to Him. These trophies are the friends and loved ones we have led to the Saviour. RJS

Wednesday, November 17

"Whatsoever You Shall Ask in My Name"
John 14:13-14

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. John 14:13-14. The disciples were suffering from fear and wondering what was going to happen to them in a day or two. The Lord is seeking to comfort them and increase their confidence in Him self. He had just told them that He was returning to His father, and they would not be alone. This prophecy is revealed in the next two chapters. He tells them of a Comforter (The Holy Spirit, tomorrow's devotion) that will come and abide in them. In the winter of 1960, this writer was in the hospital with pneumonia and a collapsed lung. He claimed John 15:7 and asked the local church he was ministering to, to claim it with him. At first the doctor was concerned that the collapsed lung might have to be removed, but God answered prayer and there was no surgery. This personal testimony is to show you that God is faithful and does answer prayer. Previously, the Lord had shown the disciples that through prayer, His Father is personally responsible to do whatsoever we ask. We need to consider what we are asking, as to whose glory, His Glory or ours. If it is for our glory, He is not responsible. If it is for His glory, He will do it!

What is meant by asking in His name: 1st. It means that we pray in His person, that is, as standing in His place, as fully identified with Him, asking by virtue of our very union with Himself. When we truly ask in the name of Christ, He is the real petitioner. 2nd. It means, therefore, that we plead before God the merits of His blessed Son. When men use another's name as the authority of their approach or the ground of their appeal, the one of whom the request is made looks beyond him who presented the petition to the one for whose sake he grants the request. So, in all reverence we may say, when we truly ask in the name of Christ, the Father looks past us, and sees the Son as the real suppliant. 3rd. It means that we pray only for that which is according to His perfections and what will be for His glory. When we do anything in another's name, it is for him we do it. When we take possession of a piece of property in the name of some organization, it is not for any private advantage, but for the organization's good." The above quotation is from the "Gospel of John," Vol. 2, Page 366, by Arthur Pink. RJS

Thursday, November 18

"If You Love Me, Keep My Commandments."
John 14: 15-21

The tenor of the Lord's message changes from sorrow to affection. Do not sorrow, but be glad, because there is a new day, a better day, a day of rejoicing on the first day of the next week. Obedience is the necessary fruit of love. "Love without obedience is dissimulation; obedience without love is drudgery and slavery." Our spiritual obedience is dependent upon our fellowship with Him.
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; It is Christ's prayer that procures for us the Holy Spirit. As long as Christ is in heaven, in His intercessory prayer, we shall never want for the blessing of the Holy Spirit. It is the Father that gives us the Holy Spirit. He is, indeed, the Father of all com-fort. God's Fatherhood is the pledge that our prayers will be answered.
The Holy Spirit is also called the Spirit of Truth. Even as Jesus was the Truth, so also the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. 17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. When the Holy Spirit enters our bodies at the point of our salvation, he never leaves us. He is perpetually indwelling us and has sealed us with His approval that we will arrive at our destination, Heaven. Eph. 1:13b, …in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise. There will never be a time when the Holy Spirit will leave us, we may grieve Him, but we are still sealed unto the day of our redemption, Eph. 4:30.
I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. What a blessing to know that when even our friends and loved ones leave us to grieve alone, we are not alone, the Blessed Holy Spirit is there to comfort us.
Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also, John 14:15-19. The world cannot see Christ because it is looking with the natural eye. Believers see Christ because they see Him by faith. For now we see through a glass, darkly; (dark glasses) but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known, 1 Cor. 13:12. Yes, we see Him by faith! RJS

Friday, November 19

The Greatest Force for Good in the World Today
John 14:26-27

But 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. The Holy Spirit is not an "it," but a heavenly personality. Note, the underlined masculine pronoun "HE" is used in the above verse. He has a two-fold office that is often misunderstood. 1. "He shall teach you." This does not teach us so much that we are to become omniscient, i. e. we should know everything, but all things needed to know the teachings of Jesus, and the plan of salvation. 2. "He shall call to your remembrance." One preacher said that before he went to the pulpit he sent up a prayer to the Father that the Holy Spirit would recall to his mind just the right words to say, and quote the Scriptures accurately. The Father sent the Son to manifest the truth of God and reveal the Father's love to a lost world. The Father sent the Holy Spirit to be a continued Force in the hearts and minds of the believers so that we would not forget what Christ did for us at the cross. Two remarkable illustrations of the Holy Spirit's ministry are found in John 2:21,22; where the disciples remembered But he spake of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said. And John 12:16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.

Another ministry of the Holy Spirit is to bring peace to a world that knows no peace in verse 27. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. In the New Testament "peace" is spoken of in a double reference: 1. It signifies reconciliation, contrasted as from alienation. 2. A state of tranquillity as contrasted from a state of tumult. The former is recorded in Romans 5:1, Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. The latter in Phil. 4:7, and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. What a "Grand Old Book"; it is a commentary on itself. RJS

Saturday, November 20

The Greatest Force for Evil in the World Today
John 14:30

Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. Satan is as much a personality as in the Holy Spirit and he is as determined to destroy the ministry of the Holy Spirit as he is to destroy the testimony of the Christian. Satan is called the "Prince of this world" in John 12:31; 14:30 and 16:11. He is also called the "Prince of devils" in Matthew 9:34; 12:24 and Mark 3:22. Again he is called the "Prince of the power of the air" in Ephesians 2:2. The Holy Spirit is a vital living personality for good, and the Prince of this world is a destructive personality for evil. The Greek word, "archon" is applied to Satan as the ruler of this world system, also the ruler of demons and the ruler of the air.

The awful enmity of the serpent is about to be fully vented on the heel of the "seed of the woman" (Gen. 3:15) on the cross. However, the "Seed of the woman" is about to crush the head of the serpent on the cross. The bruised heel is only temporary, because Christ came forth from the tomb as the Victor over death and the grave. Crushing the head of Satan means that he was defeated at the cross and he no longer has power over the death of the believers. A good illustration to enlarge on this is found in Job 2:6; And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. It would do you good to read the context of Job 2:1-13 where we see the Lord God restricting the power that Satan had regarding death.

Satan the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. The "hath nothing" refers to Christ's inherent holiness. All through the Bible we see heroes of the faith were conquered by Satan. Satan was able to mislead Noah, Abraham, David, Peter and others, however, Satan could find no fault in Christ. Even wicked Pilate said "I find no fault in Him." Peter said of Christ Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously, I Peter 2:22-23. What a wonderful testimony it would be, if the world could say the same thing about Christians today. So often, we are called "hypocrites," because the world does not see Christ in us. What a shame! RJS

Sunday, November 21

Three Trees, the Fig, Olive, and the Vine
John 15:1-6

The Fig tree is first mentioned in Gen. 3:7; following the fall, Eve sewed fig leaves together to make aprons to cover their nakedness. The Olive Tree is first mentioned in Gen. 8:11 where the dove returned to Noah's ark with an olive branch in his beak. The Vine is first mentioned in Gen. 9:20 where Noah became drunk on the fruit of the vine. Some one has said, "The fig tree is related to Israel's secular life, the fruit of the vine is related to the social life and the olive tree relates to the spiritual life." Olive oil was used to anoint the kings and priests. Figs were used to make fig cakes for storage and baked in pastries. The fruit of the vine was used at ceremonies, such as a weddings and other social occasions.

Today we are in interested in the VINE. Our Lord identifies Himself as the True Vine. We should say the one and only vine. His disciples were the branches and to this day all believers are branches from that same Vine, Christ. Let's look at an illustration from (Psalms 80: 8-9) Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it. 9Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land. And another reference (Isaiah 5:1-2, 7a) Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: 2And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant. The above texts identify Israel in the time of Christ; He was teaching his disciples that Israel had been cared for, for almost two thousand years, and was so apostate that they rejected their Messiah. From Abraham to Christ, or the birth of the Jews until the Messiah came to minister to them, the Father had kept them under his protective care. The Father had watched over them and nourished them. That is, He had been watering, weeding, and pruning Israel through the centuries in preparation for Messiah's presentation. The last two verses are not only for the disciples in that day, but for us today. If we abide in the VINE we will bring forth fruit that will be well pleasing to Christ. If we abide not in Christ, we can do nothing. RJS

Monday, November 22

The Absolute Necessity of Abiding in Christ

John 15:7-14

If you are hungering for a fuller and deeper relationship with Christ, this chapter is for you. The union of Christ and believers is spiritual, vital and real, mutual, natural and as near as the vine and the branches, they are permanently connected together in a mutual binding of the nature of the vine. The strands of the vine are intertwined with the branches. This teaching of the Lord is for His disciples and for us today. This is the height, depth, length and breadth of what the Apostle Paul was writing about in Ephesians 3:17-21. 17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. It is here that we are in Christ and He in us, that He is imparting to us his grace, love and spirit on a daily relationship that is both now and eternal. This union is essential to fruit-bearing. If there is no abiding there is no spiritual life, and our relationship with Christ is hollow and shallow. The branch, which we are, is sustained and nourished by the Vine. Without His daily nourishing we are starving and spiritually emaciated. When this writer was born, his mother was planning to breast feed him, but for ten days, all that little boy did was cry because his mother did not have milk to feed his little body. The doctor determined that little Bobby was starving to death. Mother began feeding him with a bottle and look at him now. Just as the physical needs food, so the spiritual needs food from Christ.

The results of abiding in the Vine: 1) It will be visible in your life and others will see Christ in you. 2) It is fruitful and you will prosper and grow in your spiritual life. 3) You will be walking in the Light and Truth will control your actions and words. 4) Your prayers will reach the throne of Grace and you will no longer feel as though they are bouncing off the ceiling. Lastly, your joy will be full and your relationship with the Lord will be unequaled, compared to past experiences. RJS

Tuesday, November 23

No Longer Slaves but Friends of Christ
John 15:15-17

We are going to look at two Greek words and their meaning in English. These words, "servants" and "friends" have an altogether different meaning and yet, both were applied to Christ's disciples.

The first word is "servant," Greek, "doulos." The best translation for this word in the New Testament is "slave." Some of the uses are as follows: service, subject to, a female slave, a bond woman, a handmaid, bond man, man of servile condition. The Apostle Paul refers to himself as a slave of Christ. Where the King James Trans. uses the "servant," and any of the above words it should have been translated as one of the above. The slave is subject to the will of the master without question. He only follows orders. He does not have the power of making decisions, but must be obedient in all things.

The second word is "friend," and in the Greek is "philos" and means "friend," This is a new relationship that the Apostles had with Christ and we also have. It is best translated by the following, He who associates familiarly with another, a companion. The word is closely associated with "a word for love, Greek, "phileo," meaning to love or be friendly to another, to delight in, and be kindly disposed to another. What our Lord says to his followers is that from now on we are going to be friends and fellowship with one another, the likes of which you have not heretofore known. There are three references in the Bible that refer to Abraham as the friend of God. 2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8 and James 2:23. Without question, the greatest accolade a person can receive is "to be a friend of God."

If we are friends of the Father and the Saviour, don't you think we should be friends one-to-another? All believers are born into the family of God; therefore, they are responsible to treat their brothers and sisters in the Lord as family. There is an old saying, "Blood is thicker than water." As a youth in "grade school" there were three brothers who loved to fight. The younger brother would start a fight with someone else and the two older brothers would immediately come to the younger one's defense. Application, when a Christian is in trouble, we go immediately to their defense and support them. After all, we are "blood bought" brothers and sisters in Christ, are we not? RJS

Wednesday, November 24

The World Hated Christ and it will Hate You
John 15:18-25

Our Lord enjoined that within the Church love should prevail within the brotherhood. However, at the same time He foretold that from without, Christians would meet with hatred, opposition, enmity, and persecution.

The world hates reproof; And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil, John 3:19. The world's sin is condemned by Christians; That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world, Phil. 2:15. The world's evils are exposed by the Christian's manner of life, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world, Titus 2:12. Nothing so stirs up the unbeliever as to know that their carnal minds and hearts are despised by the Lord God. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God, James 4:4.

Jesus knew full well the attitude taken by the Jewish leaders and that both the Jews and the Roman government would be seeking this little band of followers (the apostles) who would preach against them and their sins. The Jews wanted to lead according to their traditions and not according to the Bible. The Romans were happy with their idols and pagan gods, they did not want to change the status quo. Christians, so called, who are liberal in their theology do not disturb the world. It is only the evangelical and fundamental believers that anger them. The hatred and persecution that believers have endured down through these past 20 centuries is not so much against the believers as it is against their Lord. Therefore, because they hate Christ they have to be consistent and hate us. Open persecution is rampant around the world today and will get worse. In America we have open denial of rights and truth. We are being suppressed by the ACLU and other misuses of the courts. The world system is seeking to erode away all that we stand for. Physical persecution is not far away. We have one great hope, our Lord will return one of these days and we will be caught up and out of this world system. "Hallelujah What a Saviour!" RJS

Thursday, November 25

The Comforter is the Spirit of Truth
John 15 :26-27

The disciples were able to see Jesus in bodily form, but now Jesus was leaving, and they needed an indwelling presence (the Holy Spirit) to guide these fledgling spiritual leaders. It is interesting that all through the Old Testament there are prophecies pointing toward both the Messiah and the Holy Spirit. Note, Joel 2:28-29 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. We can compare this with Acts 2:17-18. However, in our text the Lord Jesus tells His followers that after He leaves and returns to heaven the Spirit of Truth will descend upon them and abide within them. This One, in Greek, the "Paraclatos" will stand along side these new spiritual leaders. We use the word "new" because the old leaders have now been set aside and because of their sin of rejection have lost their leadership. The "Paraclatos" is translated In English by the following words: One who stands along side, an adviser, counselor, helper: the Talmud, a Hebrew book, refers to the "Paraclatos" as intercessor, defender, and advocate.

The Holy Spirit came upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost, fifty days after Passover, and never left them. As He moved into the hearts of the Christ's followers on the Birthday of the Church, so He also indwells the heart of every believer. He never leaves us alone! He is always there to lift us up and guide us into all truth.

Some fundamental Baptists shy away from the ministry of the Holy Spirit, much to their own misunderstanding, because they are afraid of being associated with the Holy Spirit's miss-taught ministry within the charismatic movement. Other believers, both Pastor and lay folk do not understand the teaching of "submission to the Holy Spirit." This sub-mission is simply giving yourself over to the Holy Spirit and letting Him become the ruling power in every facet of your life. The Holy Spirit can be lied to, quenched, but He never leaves the saint. All believers are saints and should be witnesses to the saving power of Christ and the sustaining presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Is your life a witness? RJS

Friday, November 26

Christ is the Cause of the World's Hostility
John 16:1-6

For forty centuries, Satan had had his way and the world had followed his tactics without question. The Messiah's coming changed the scene, and there was a new beginning. Satan, the prince of this world, was about to be dethroned, the world was ready for a change. God's chosen people, the Jewish nation, had failed in their responsibility to be a witness unto the nations. The fullness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons, Galatians 4:4-5.

16:1, the word "offended" could be translated, "stumble, or cause a person to begin to distrust and desert the One whom he should trust and obey." 16:2, they shall put you out of the synagogues, "excommunicate." yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. The fulfillment of the above verse is found in Acts 7:58, And cast Stephen out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. 16:3, "because" Ignorance of God and the Christ is the foundation of religious persecution and intolerance. 16:4, We paraphrase this verse with the following; "Did I not tell you these things when I chose you, but it is now necessary to tell you again, so that you be not discouraged, and on guard when I leave you." 16:5, Whither goest thou? Has been asked on two other occasions in John 13:36 and 14:5 and then in verse 6 their hearts were filled to overflowing with sorrow.

Let's try now to put ourselves in the same sandals as the disciples found themselves in. They had been following Him for three and one half years. He had been doing everything for them. Now they were going to be on their own and they were frightened out of their wits. Everything they had been taught, the miracles they had seen in the past three years, suddenly, there was an uncertain future. The Holy Spirit had not descended, the Comforter had not come, and they were about to be deserted and without leadership. They would soon be scattered sheep without a shepherd. They were like a church without a pastor. It's true we need strong leaders in times of trouble. The Holy Spirit is our Strong Leader today. Will you follow the leading of the Holy Spirit or the flesh? RJS

Saturday, November 27

Repetition is the Mother of all Knowledge
John 16:7-11

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you, John 16:7. Following is a list of things the Holy Spirit does for us: 1. The One who leads us into the new birth relationship with Christ and the Father, (John 3:3,5). 2. He is the life giver, (Romans 6:23). Man merits hell, not eternal life, but through the winning work of the of the Holy Spirit, we have life in Christ. 3. The Holy Spirit is the source of power in the life of the believer, (Acts 1:8) But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 4. Another verse to seal your relationship with Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. (I John 2:27) The anointing which you have received of him abides in you, and you need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, you shall abide in him. 5. The Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth, (John 16:13). 6. The Spirit will convict of Sin, ... (John 16:8). According to several commentators, we have need to better understand this verse. The Spirit is not the Defense Attorney demanding the Judge to free the accused, but the Prosecuting Attorney demanding judgment on the guilty world that is truly guilty of its sins. So often, this verse is quoted to show that the "sinner" is convicted of his or her sins and turns from them. The verse may be used in this latter sense, but it should also be strongly considered in the former view. Righteousness; we all know that sin exists in the world, as well as, in our hearts. We also know that righteousness can only be in Christ. What actually happens is that this conviction on the world shows the world system just how wicked and wretched it really is. In self-righteousness mankind thinks he can improve himself to the point that God will accept him, but the Scripture tells us We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Isa. 64:6 And judgment, Christ will be the Judge and all unregenerate will stand before the Great White Throne (Rev. 20:11-15). What a personal disaster to think you are going to heaven and end up in hell! RJS

Sunday, November 28

Christ Glorified by the Holy Spirit

John 12-22

Please read the text because we do not have space here for the text and the commentary. At this time it would not be best for me to tell you that the whole Mosaic system that you have lived under, will be done away with in the near future. It will be replaced by a new system which is the church. Both Jews and Gentiles will be part and parcel of this new Church, which is His body. Your cherished dreams of the Messiah and a kingdom on earth wherein is no sin is in the remote future. I will return at a time known only to the Father and establish an everlasting kingdom over which I will rule. The disciples misunderstood the meaning of verses 17 and 18. The disciples did not, as yet, understand that the Messiah had to die in order to bring salvation to the world. Nor did they understand that He also was to come forth from the grave and thereby give us the victory over death and the grave. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 15:54-57

… Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. 26At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God, John 16:23, 24; 26, 27. In our church age we pray in the name of Jesus Christ to the Father through the Holy Spirit. This does not mean as an addendum or postscript, rather it is in Christ's name we begin our prayers. It is only in Jesus that we have access to the Throne of God "Father I am coming to the throne of grace in the name of Jesus." According to Hebrews 1:3, the Son speaks to the Father and says, "Father, I have a little brother or sister down on earth that is in need. They can't help themselves and they need our help. Their need may be beyond medical knowledge, or other needs that only God can do. The Father says, Son, because they asked in Your name, I will do it," and it is done! Now you will have sorrow, but before the week is over, rejoicing. RJS

Monday, November 29

Jesus Came from God and He returned to God
John 27-28

Before we turn to the text, let's look at several other testimonies from earlier experiences. Nicodemus said, "Rabbi we know that you are a teacher sent from God," John 3:2. The woman at the well in Samaria exclaimed, "Come and see a man who told me all things that I ever did: is not this the Christ (the Anointed One)," (John 4:29). Those who witnessed the miracle of the loaves and fishes avowed "This is of a truth the prophet that should some into the world," (John 6:4). Peter testified, "We believe, and are sure that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God," (John 6:69). Martha said, "Yes, Lord I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world," (John 11:27). And lastly, the Apostle in (John 16:30) "We believe that you came forth from God." Arthur Pink Exposition of The Gospel of John, Vol. 3, Page 83.

The Scriptures said "At the mouth of two or three witnesses." We have given six witnesses in the above, to the truth that Christ was the Anointed One sent from God. Jesus came into this world through a miraculous birth. He did not have an earthly father, but was sent by the Heavenly Father. He came to establish the greatest organism in the world, the Church. The living, vitalized both spiritual and physical body of Christ was the result of Christ's 33 years here on earth. He came from heaven a distant literal place, just as literal as the stars in space. He came from a great distance time wise, but even a greater distance morally. He came in the divine glory, purity, and life to the sphere of sin, sorrow, and death. There was no sin, sorrow, or death in Heaven and He gave up all that bliss to become a man and die in our stead. He came to instill in His followers a new way of life, love, joy, and happiness. You and I enjoy these blessings, and the world hates us because we not only have them, but also share them with each other in both a physical and spiritual relationship.

Lastly, He tells us that He is coming again. He is the only One who has come forth from the grave to live an everlasting life, and death had no more dominion over Him. Think on this! He extended to us everlasting life and the assurance of resurrection from the grave, and living with Him in the presence of His Father for all eternity. How can these things be? Only because He was who He said he was and gave us the prophecy that we would share eternal life with Him. Hallelujah, what a Saviour! RJS

Tuesday, November 30th

Power in Ministry
John 16:29-33

When the temple guard arrested Jesus, all the disciples with Him ran away to their own homes. This is a fulfillment of Zechariah's words which spoke of the Shepherd (the Messiah) smitten by decree of the Lord Almighty, which resulted in the scattering of the sheep (Zech 13:7). (1) The majority of those who professed to be God's people hated and rejected Jesus Christ. Apart from the working of God's grace, the disciples simply could not stand, and neither will any of us. They did not have the courage to stand with Jesus in His hour of trial. Peter, their leader, denied even knowing Jesus with cursing.

Jesus' instructions about these things (chaps. 14-16) were intended to sustain them, to give them peace in Him. Believers have a dual existence: they are in Christ and in this world. In union with Jesus, His disciples have peace, but the world exerts a hostile pressure. The world system, the enemy of God and His people, opposed Jesus' message and ministry (cf. 1:5, 10; 7:7). But Jesus won the victory over the system; He has overcome the world. As the "strong man" who came and ruined Satan's kingdom (Matt. 12:25-29), Jesus is the Victor. Jesus wanted the disciples to remember this fact and to rejoice in His victory. (2)

Jesus said, "be of good cheer". Though they feared and ran away, though the world is hostile, though Jesus said, "In the world ye shall have tribulation"…, they were to stand strong. That is "Be courageous." Because He won they, in union with Him, can win also (Rom. 8:37). (3) God would not have us be overcome with doubts and fears. We need to realize that the enemy will work in this world and even through those who profess to be God's people to cause us difficulty. This difficulty in this world is a prophecy that the experience of those who are faithful to God will be similar to that of Jesus Christ. However, just as Jesus overcame sin, death and hell, we too, can overcome any enemy that stands against us. It is as we read in Isaiah 54:17, No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. (1) (2) (3) The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.

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