2011 04 April

He wept over the city of Jerusalem Luke 19:41-42 and its rejection of both the prophets and Himself. And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.

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!

John 11:12-37.. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
17 ¶ Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: {about…:that is, about two miles}
19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
28 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.
29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.
30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.
31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.
32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
33 ¶ When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, {was troubled: Gr. he troubled himself}
34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
35 Jesus wept.
36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!
37 And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?

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. Our bodies were purchased by the blood of Christ on that cruel, cruel cross. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

The lost will stand before Great White Throne in the final judgment. Their unrepentant hearts will go unchanged into eternity.

Revelation 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

John 11: 38-46. Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
42 And 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.
43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
45 ¶ Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.

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. The Sanhedrin was called into session by Caiaphas following the resuscitation of Lazarus to determine what to do with both Lazarus and Jesus. It determined 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 which had been amassed 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, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And 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.

John 11: 46-57. But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.
47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
54 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.
55 And the Jews’ passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.
56 Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast?
57 Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him.

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.

John 12: 1-12. Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him,
5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
7 Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
8 For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
9 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.
10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
12 ¶ On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

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. For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. The 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."

John 12:12-19. On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
13 Took 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.
14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,
15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.
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.
17 The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.
18 For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.
19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.

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.

John 12:20-26. And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:
21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26 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 honour.

John 12: 27-34. Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.
34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?

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 of "Born again Christians." 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us that 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. 45:6-7; But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:
They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

Isaiah 9:6-7; For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

John 1:1-3; In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Colossians 1:16-18. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

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. He (John the Baptist) was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That 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. They were having a very difficult time understanding, as their focus turned to temselves repeatedly. 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." He not only is the Light that leads to salvation, and the Light that lights our path through life, but both His preincarnate and His post-incarnate glorified self are Light. This Holy Light would have killed Moses had he not just seen the hinder parts. And Saul recognized the Holy Saviour with a saving belief, but was blinded for 3 days after a glimpse of that same Holy Light. Isaiah's testimony was 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 6: 3-5.

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 chapter 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. Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. (Luke 12:8-9)

John 12: 35-50. Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
37 ¶ But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
42 ¶ Nevertheless 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:
43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
44 ¶ Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.
45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.
46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
48 He 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.
49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

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

John 13: 1-5. Now 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.
2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;
3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

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. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Ps. 51:14-15, & 17.

David's prayer is from a broken heart. Do your sins cause you to fall before the Lord and pray from a broken and contrite heart?

John 13:6-11. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? {Peter saith: Gr. he saith}
7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

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. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. The example is humility. Jesus is more humble than any of us could ever be. He washed our souls via the most undignified death imaginable at Calvary. Jehovah's humbling act to become man and then die the worst death for us was greater than anything ever done.

The importance of humility is seen in this oft quoted 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 just give you. We must pray, and work hard to attain humility by walking in obedience with the Lord, because humility is not natural to the natural man. We must learn to let God be God. Only then can we take our proper position as a redeemed servant. 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.

John 13:12-18. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
18 ¶ I 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.

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.

John 13:19-30. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. {Now: or, From henceforth}
20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.
25 He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?
26 Jesus 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, the son of Simon. {sop: or, morsel}
27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.
29 For 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.
30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.

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 death wasto be His glorification. Now is the Son of man glorified. 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!:

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 present their gods as judgmental and avenging. These gods or god must be placated and appeased. These gods cannot see, hear, or speak. They are gods made up of from man's imagination.

Many who claim to worship the God of the Bible also see God as a taskmaster who is having us work our way up the ladder of salvation. Our True God is a God of love and compassion that always was, is and ever shall be through all eternity: everlasting love. A love that knows no bounds or limitations, a love that reaches takes us from the guttermost to the uppermost. A Love that did the work for us and paid the price of sin for us at Calvary. It is an eternal love for lost souls and twice born saints. Do you know and share that love?

John 13:31-35. Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
32 If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.
33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

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.

John 13:36-38. Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.
37 Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.
38 Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

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; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

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.

John 14:1-7. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In 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.
3 And 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.
4 ¶ And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

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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.

John 14:8-12. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
12 ¶ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

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"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:

"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.

If ye love me, keep my commandments. Obedience is the necessary fruit of love. "Love without obedience is dissimulation (deceitfulness); 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 comfort. 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 this life, and we fell that we 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!

John 14: 15-21. If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even 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.
18 ¶ I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. {comfortless: or, orphans}
19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
21 He 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.

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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.

The Greatest Force for Evil in the World Today:

Defeated!
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!

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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.

John 15:1-6I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every 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.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. {without me: or, severed from me}
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

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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. 17 That 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:

John 15:7-14 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
9 ¶ As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

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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?

John 15:15-17. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.

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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.

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!"

John 15:18-25. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.
22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. {cloke: or, excuse}
23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
24 If 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.
25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

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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?

John 15 :26-27. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

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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.

Now that the Messiah was incarnate, His presence here-- His defeat of the Old Order-- brought about the hatred of Him and His followers from the unredeemed who still cling to that Old Order of Self:

Whither goest thou?16:5. 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, were now replaced by 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?

John 16:1-6 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. {offended: scandalized or, made to stumble}
2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
5 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?
6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.

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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:

A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. 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.

John 16:12-22 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
16 ¶ A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.
17 Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?
18 They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.
19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?
20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

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Jesus Came from God and He Returned to God
John 16:27-28

Before we turn to the text, let's look at several other testimonies from earlier experiences.

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!

John 16:27-28. A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.
17 Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?

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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.

John 16:29-33 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. {proverb: or, parable}
30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
31 Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. {his own: or, his own home}
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

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It is our desire to make these devotionals readily available to anyone who can use them. We pray that as you daily read and meditate on God's Word, you will be able to use these to help you spiritually grow in your daily walk with the Lord.

Please email us to share a testimony of how this ministry has been a blessing to you, Or to request these devotions be sent to you daily via email!

Please email us to share a testimony of how this ministry has been a blessing to you, Or to request these devotions be sent to you daily via email!

Read Past Devotionals in the Devotional Archive!

Most References are From: AV (Authorized Version)1769; (Commonly known as the KJV 1611 Authorized Version)

This month's memory verses:
Psalm 139: 11-12

If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
[12] Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

It is our desire to make these devotionals readily available to anyone who can use them. We pray that as you daily read and meditate on God's Word, you will be able to use these to help you spiritually grow in your daily walk with the Lord.

Please email us to share a testimony of how this ministry has been a blessing to you, Or to request these devotions be sent to you daily via email!

Please email us to share a testimony of how this ministry has been a blessing to you, Or to request these devotions be sent to you daily via email!

Read Past Devotionals in the Devotional Archive!

Most References are From: AV (Authorized Version)1769; (Commonly known as the KJV 1611 Authorized Version)

This month's memory verses: Psalm 139: 11-12 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. [12] Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

This month's memory verses:
Psalm 139: 11-12

If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
[12] Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.