John 4: 34.
This passage deals with the Samaritan woman at the well. Since I have already covered this story in the first section of this Bible Study titled "His Identity"; I will not repeat the story here, you can refer to it by going to the "His Identity" section of this blog (hint) it is the first chapter I wrote about.
Jesus' disciples have left Jesus at the well and went into the town to bring back food and drink for Him because He was tired. While Jesus was at the well, He engaged a Samaritan woman in conversation. This story is found in both these locations because this story is part of both chapters.
When we looked at this story in the section titled "His Identity", we focused on Jesus revealing to this woman that He was the Messiah. Now we are looking at this story from a different perspective, Jesus Mission was to reach the lost and bring them back to God. Jesus did this through His conversation with the woman. Now Jesus was doing quite well with the woman before the disciples came back from town. Imagine their surprise, Jesus was alone when they left Him, now He has a woman who he is talking to. This is very early in His ministry, so the disciples are surprised, but know enough not to cause a scene here, by questioning Jesus why He would waste His time with a woman, and a Samaritan at that! All they knew was Jesus was tired when they left Him, and now He seems fully recovered. Jesus told them, that when I am doing the work of My Father, that is Spiritual Food for Me. As you mature in your walk with Jesus, you also will do the work of the Father; when you do this, you will see that God gives you the strength, the words and the ability to administer to those He picks for you to Minister to. God does all the work, and makes you feel good at the same time.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
56th Post Jesus & His Mission Con't - Luke 19: 9 - 10.
Luke 19: 9 -10. The Story of Zacchaeus, Luke 19: 1 - 10.
The background for this story is that Jesus started His journey from the Sea of Galilee and is heading up to Jerusalem. Jesus is on His way to be in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. The crowd has been building the whole time they have been walking. The crowd is not yet to the city gates of Jericho, when a small man named Zacchaeus a tax collector hears the crowd and asks "What is happening?" "Jesus is coming" was the reply. Zacchaeus wanted very much to see Jesus, so he climbed a tree to get above the croud for a better look. Imagine his surprise when Jesus looked up in the tree and called Zacchaeus by name. They have never met, how did this man know my name? Then Jesus asked Zacchaeus if He could go to Zacchaeus' house and have a meal with him. Zacchaeus did not know what to think. After eating and talking with Jesus, Zacchaeus became a believer; and told the crowd that if he had cheated anyone he would pay back everything up to four times what was owed. Zacchaeus was a rich man, so he could afford what he promised. Tax collector's made their money by charging the Jews the taxes demanded by the Romans, the Romans did not pay the tax collector's so they had to charge more in order to eat. They were hated by the Jews because of this. This story shows what happens when a man truley repents.
The background for this story is that Jesus started His journey from the Sea of Galilee and is heading up to Jerusalem. Jesus is on His way to be in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. The crowd has been building the whole time they have been walking. The crowd is not yet to the city gates of Jericho, when a small man named Zacchaeus a tax collector hears the crowd and asks "What is happening?" "Jesus is coming" was the reply. Zacchaeus wanted very much to see Jesus, so he climbed a tree to get above the croud for a better look. Imagine his surprise when Jesus looked up in the tree and called Zacchaeus by name. They have never met, how did this man know my name? Then Jesus asked Zacchaeus if He could go to Zacchaeus' house and have a meal with him. Zacchaeus did not know what to think. After eating and talking with Jesus, Zacchaeus became a believer; and told the crowd that if he had cheated anyone he would pay back everything up to four times what was owed. Zacchaeus was a rich man, so he could afford what he promised. Tax collector's made their money by charging the Jews the taxes demanded by the Romans, the Romans did not pay the tax collector's so they had to charge more in order to eat. They were hated by the Jews because of this. This story shows what happens when a man truley repents.
55th Post Jesus Said His Mission Con't - Luke 15: 8-10
Luke 15: 8- 10. The parable of the Woman and her lost coins.
This parable is along the same lines as the Ninety and Nine Sheep. Like the shepherd, this woman has lost something. In her case she has lost a silver coin. In both cases the shepherd and the woman have lost something of value. Jesus is telling the story with the idea, that He himself has lost something of value also. Like the shepherd and the woman, Jesus is also searching for the lost and trying to find them. When the shepherd and the woman find what it was they had lost, they ask their friends to rejoice with them on finding that which was lost. Jesus is no different, when He finds the lost and brings them back to God, all the Angels in Heaven rejoice with Jesus, that He has found that which is lost.
Redeeming the lost is why Jesus came here the first time. One of our biggest problems, being human is that we seldom realize that we are lost. When life is good, and you are content in your sin; you feel you do not need a Savior. This is usually the time Jesus comes to you. It is very easy to turn Him away at this time. Then when you have no where to turn but up, this is when you forget to call on your Savior. Jesus still seeks the lost. Are you lost?
This parable is along the same lines as the Ninety and Nine Sheep. Like the shepherd, this woman has lost something. In her case she has lost a silver coin. In both cases the shepherd and the woman have lost something of value. Jesus is telling the story with the idea, that He himself has lost something of value also. Like the shepherd and the woman, Jesus is also searching for the lost and trying to find them. When the shepherd and the woman find what it was they had lost, they ask their friends to rejoice with them on finding that which was lost. Jesus is no different, when He finds the lost and brings them back to God, all the Angels in Heaven rejoice with Jesus, that He has found that which is lost.
Redeeming the lost is why Jesus came here the first time. One of our biggest problems, being human is that we seldom realize that we are lost. When life is good, and you are content in your sin; you feel you do not need a Savior. This is usually the time Jesus comes to you. It is very easy to turn Him away at this time. Then when you have no where to turn but up, this is when you forget to call on your Savior. Jesus still seeks the lost. Are you lost?
Monday, April 19, 2010
54th Post Jesus Mission Con't - Luke 15: 4 -7.
Luke 15: 4 - 7; Matthew 18: 12 - 14. The parable of the Lost Sheep (Ninety and nine).
This parable is hard for us to understand, because for most of us it has been a long time since we have been around sheep. Some of us may know where to buy products made from sheep, or where to buy the meat. But when you start to talk about how sheep react or what they do, we have a hard time understanding. Jesus tells us this story of a shepherd with 100 sheep and one is lost. The shepherd leaves the 99 sheep and goes looking for the one lost sheep. This doesn't sound very practical, what is to keep the 99 sheep together while you are looking for the one? Jesus does not tell us, however, that is not the point of this parable. The point is that the shepherd goes out and searches for the lost sheep and then rejoices when he finds it. What does the name Jesus mean? You can find the answer to that in Matthew 1:21 "you will call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." Finding the lost sheep, the lost people of God, was Jesus job on earth. This is what Jesus was talking about in this parable. Jesus did not come to save the righteous, they are symbolized in the ninety-nine sheep. The problem is if you really get down to it there is no such thing as righteous. Paul tells us is Romans 3:23 "that all have sinned and fallen short of the Kingdom of God". We are all lost and need Jesus. This is the point.
This parable is hard for us to understand, because for most of us it has been a long time since we have been around sheep. Some of us may know where to buy products made from sheep, or where to buy the meat. But when you start to talk about how sheep react or what they do, we have a hard time understanding. Jesus tells us this story of a shepherd with 100 sheep and one is lost. The shepherd leaves the 99 sheep and goes looking for the one lost sheep. This doesn't sound very practical, what is to keep the 99 sheep together while you are looking for the one? Jesus does not tell us, however, that is not the point of this parable. The point is that the shepherd goes out and searches for the lost sheep and then rejoices when he finds it. What does the name Jesus mean? You can find the answer to that in Matthew 1:21 "you will call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." Finding the lost sheep, the lost people of God, was Jesus job on earth. This is what Jesus was talking about in this parable. Jesus did not come to save the righteous, they are symbolized in the ninety-nine sheep. The problem is if you really get down to it there is no such thing as righteous. Paul tells us is Romans 3:23 "that all have sinned and fallen short of the Kingdom of God". We are all lost and need Jesus. This is the point.
Monday, April 12, 2010
53rd post Jesus Mission Con't - Luke 12: 49 - 53 con't.
Luke 12: 49 - 53; Matthew 10: 34 - 36; Mark 10: 38.
"Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, two against three. Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law." Jesus was telling the people that when you come face to face with Him, you have to make a decision. You either will believe and follow Him or you won't. This is the same decision that we have to make today. You either believe that Jesus is who He says He is or you don't. The last post shows how we as believer's feel about Baptism. Baptism was supposed to unite us as like minded Christians, but we cannot even agree on how it should be administered. Satan enjoys it when Christians fight amongst ourselves because we are not focusing on Satan but fighting with ourselves. We can not fight united against Satan when we are too busy fighting with one another.
Jesus would not be happy if He came back now and sees His people fighting amongst themselves.
We are supposed to be united against Satan. That is supposed to be our fight, not fighting one another. We have many denominations because we feel that our way is better than someone elses. We as believer's are to Lift up Jesus and follow His commands. Jesus was talking to the unbeliever's, but we being human have applied this teaching to ourselves, without knowing it.
"Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, two against three. Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law." Jesus was telling the people that when you come face to face with Him, you have to make a decision. You either will believe and follow Him or you won't. This is the same decision that we have to make today. You either believe that Jesus is who He says He is or you don't. The last post shows how we as believer's feel about Baptism. Baptism was supposed to unite us as like minded Christians, but we cannot even agree on how it should be administered. Satan enjoys it when Christians fight amongst ourselves because we are not focusing on Satan but fighting with ourselves. We can not fight united against Satan when we are too busy fighting with one another.
Jesus would not be happy if He came back now and sees His people fighting amongst themselves.
We are supposed to be united against Satan. That is supposed to be our fight, not fighting one another. We have many denominations because we feel that our way is better than someone elses. We as believer's are to Lift up Jesus and follow His commands. Jesus was talking to the unbeliever's, but we being human have applied this teaching to ourselves, without knowing it.
52nd Post Jesus Mission Con't. - Luke 12: 49 - 53 Con't.
Luke 12: 49 - 53; Matthew 10: 34 - 36; Mark 10: 38, continued.
It was not John the Baptist's fault, he did the work he was asked to do and did it faithfully. God created us with free choice, and it is this free choice, that gets us in a lot of trouble; because we always seem to pick the wrong choice. When Adam brought sin into the world, we have been making the wrong choices ever since. This will continue to happen until Jesus comes again.
The next section is as follows: "But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am til it is accomplished!" What Baptism is Jesus talking about here? It is baptism by the Holy Spirit!
This is the same thing Jesus was talking to Nicodemus in John chapter 3. You must be born again.
Contrary to popular belief, anyone who is baptized with the understanding that he is now a follower of Jesus Christ and believes that "Jesus is the Son of God, Jesus died to save him from his sins, and since Jesus rose on Easter, then also he will rise!" No matter how he was baptized, immersed, sprinkled, or whatever. He is baptized!! This is what Paul meant when he said I believe in one Baptism for the remission of sins. The point of Baptism is not how, but why you were baptized. The sooner we remember why we are doing what we are doing the better off we all will be. We are Baptized into a Spiritual relationship with God. This is the point!!
If you are Baptized you are born again!!
It was not John the Baptist's fault, he did the work he was asked to do and did it faithfully. God created us with free choice, and it is this free choice, that gets us in a lot of trouble; because we always seem to pick the wrong choice. When Adam brought sin into the world, we have been making the wrong choices ever since. This will continue to happen until Jesus comes again.
The next section is as follows: "But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am til it is accomplished!" What Baptism is Jesus talking about here? It is baptism by the Holy Spirit!
This is the same thing Jesus was talking to Nicodemus in John chapter 3. You must be born again.
Contrary to popular belief, anyone who is baptized with the understanding that he is now a follower of Jesus Christ and believes that "Jesus is the Son of God, Jesus died to save him from his sins, and since Jesus rose on Easter, then also he will rise!" No matter how he was baptized, immersed, sprinkled, or whatever. He is baptized!! This is what Paul meant when he said I believe in one Baptism for the remission of sins. The point of Baptism is not how, but why you were baptized. The sooner we remember why we are doing what we are doing the better off we all will be. We are Baptized into a Spiritual relationship with God. This is the point!!
If you are Baptized you are born again!!
51st Post Jesus Mission Con't - Luke 12:49-53
Luke 12: 49 - 53; Matthew 10: 34 - 36; Mark 10:38.
This passage led to a large discussion, concerning this topic. We will take this passage apart piece by piece and look at each part, by themselves. The first part "I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!" God sent John the Baptist ahead of Jesus to get the people ready to receive Jesus. John did what he could, but the people would not follow him in the huge crowds that would have been needed to make Jesus' ministry easier. John the Baptist had large crowds following him, but the work was not complete when Jesus came. Jesus found the people, to be for the most part uneducated and unresponsive. When Jesus performed miracles He wasn't sure if it was the miracles that brought the people, or His actual teachings. Jesus miracles coincided with His teachings. When a fire is already kindled, this means that it is ready to burst into a blazing fire very quickly. The fact that Jesus uses the word wish, here states that He did not expect to have to gather the wood, build a place to hold the fire and then actually go through the motions of starting that fire. Jesus thought He would be able to build on what John the Baptist had already started. The people looked at John the Baptist to be one teacher and Jesus to be another. Two with similar messages but different. In the previous section "Jesus' Relationship with His Father", you will notice that Jesus was building a chain of command between His Father (God), and Himself. John the Baptist was supposed to start the chain of command with Jesus continuing it and then passing it onto the disciples after Jesus ministry was finished. I am running out of space, this will be continued on next post.
This passage led to a large discussion, concerning this topic. We will take this passage apart piece by piece and look at each part, by themselves. The first part "I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!" God sent John the Baptist ahead of Jesus to get the people ready to receive Jesus. John did what he could, but the people would not follow him in the huge crowds that would have been needed to make Jesus' ministry easier. John the Baptist had large crowds following him, but the work was not complete when Jesus came. Jesus found the people, to be for the most part uneducated and unresponsive. When Jesus performed miracles He wasn't sure if it was the miracles that brought the people, or His actual teachings. Jesus miracles coincided with His teachings. When a fire is already kindled, this means that it is ready to burst into a blazing fire very quickly. The fact that Jesus uses the word wish, here states that He did not expect to have to gather the wood, build a place to hold the fire and then actually go through the motions of starting that fire. Jesus thought He would be able to build on what John the Baptist had already started. The people looked at John the Baptist to be one teacher and Jesus to be another. Two with similar messages but different. In the previous section "Jesus' Relationship with His Father", you will notice that Jesus was building a chain of command between His Father (God), and Himself. John the Baptist was supposed to start the chain of command with Jesus continuing it and then passing it onto the disciples after Jesus ministry was finished. I am running out of space, this will be continued on next post.
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