Two Messages, Two Men, and One Savior

I read through Acts earlier this month, and as I was reading I noted some similarities in Peter's sermon and Stephen's defense (before he was killed). However, after a bit more study, I realized that, while they indeed had several similarities, they had more differences--not in theological content, but in the setting, content, and response of the message.

Setting
Acts 2 is known for the incredible experience of the Holy Spirit. The disciples are gathered in Jerusalem after the resurrection of Christ, and as the Lord promised, He sends the Comforter to remain with them always. Peter gives this sermon by the power of the Spirit with the other eleven disciples around him along with "devout men from every nation under heaven" (Acts 2:5, ESV). In response to the overflowing living Spirit in him, Peter stands and proclaims

Stephen's defense in Acts 7 falls under much difference circumstances. These are literally Stephen's last words, as he will be stoned after this message. He stands amond the people, elders, scribes, his false accusers, and the Jewish council. This message is his defense against those who claimed that he spoke against the holy place and the Jewish law. Those who behold Stephen's face marvel that it appears like an angel's.

Content
In response to the overflowing living Spirit in him, Peter boldly stands and proclaims the words of Joel, calling the Jews back to their heritage, and ancient promises given to them by the God of Israel. Basing his message on the fact that "everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved", Peter gives a short summary of Jesus' life, beginning with David's testimony. He points out that his hearers are the ones who crucified the Messiah, but though they rejected the One that David proclaimed would rise from the dead, there was hope for them in that Savior still.

Stephen's defense is much longer than Peter's sermon, but he gives a similar message. He begins at the very beginning when God first called Abraham to seek out a land that would be his descendants inheritance. Moving along into the patriarchal history, Stephen recalls the story of Joseph and his brothers and the Egyptian famine. Then comes Moses, the child found beautiful in God's sight, who was to be called of I AM to lead the Israelites to the land promised to Abraham's descendants. Stephen recounts how Moses was directed to create a tent in the wilderness in which to worship God. Then David took up the call and desire to fund the building project for a temple. Though he did not see the project begin or end, he paved the way for his Solomon who was designated to build the temple during a time of peace. Stephen, like Peter also quotes one of the Old Testament prophets, however, he quotes Isaiah, not Joel. Concluding with the quote from Isaiah stating that "heaven is [God's] throng, and the earth is [His] footstool", Stephen places a strong rebuke on the Jewish leaders for their continued rejection of Christ. As their forefathers did, these Jews were stiff-necked, uncircumcised, murderers, and betrayers. They slew the One who gave them their law.

Response
Perhaps the biggest contrast between Stephen and Peter's messages is the response. While they have many differences, both quote prophets, both recount the Jewish history, both describe the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, both offer salvation, and both are spoken to large groups of people through the power of the Spirit.

Peter's message, though shorter than Stephen's, falls on ready ears, and about three thousand believers were added to the church. There was fellowshipping and praying and communion among these people and they gave to the needy and praised the Lord inthe temple together every day. The Lord added to their numbers and they continued to grow.

Stephen's message produced a response of rage in resistant hearts and actions. He was cast out of the city and stoned. Yet in the midst of the physical and spiritual pain, there was glory. Stephen was given a vision of Christ seated at the right hand of God, and though he died for this bold message and rebuke, his words were not in vain. Two chapters later, the man who permitted and condoned Stephen's death would also see the glory of God and become one of the leading writers and spiritual figures in our New Testament--the apostle Paul.

Two men with two messages, yet each pointed to the same Savior.

Mary, Did You Know?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water?

And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” (Matthew 14:25-27)

Mary, did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?

She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21)
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." (Revelation 21:5)
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you?

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13)

Mary, did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?

Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing. (John 9:6-7)

Mary, did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?

Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet,
and he brought them to their desired haven. (Psal 107:28-30)
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?

And [Jesus] said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” (John 1:51)
And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God?

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. (Colossians 1:19)

The blind will see, the deaf will hear and the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb!

So that the crowd wondered, when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled healthy, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they glorified the God of Israel. (Matthew 15:31)

Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. (Colossians 1:15)
And [God] put all things under [Jesus] feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:22-23)
Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?

And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” (Romans 15:12)

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)

Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:9-10)

This sleeping child you're holding is the great I AM?

God said to Moses, “ I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: 'I AM has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:14)
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. (Revelation 22:13)

Did Mary know? 

She knew she was favored by God. She knew her baby would be called Jesus because He would bring salvation. She knew He would inherit David's throne and have an eternal kingdom. She knew she was the handmaiden of the Lord and that His strength was hers. She knew her baby was going to be a Light for the Gentiles and the glory of Israel. She knew a sword would pierce through her own heart. She knew Jesus was the Messiah. Yes, she knew. 

But did she really know? No, no one understands God completely. That's why she pondered the words that were spoken to her and treasured the Child that was given her.

His Names!

About five weeks ago I began a study on the names of God using Kay Arthur's book entitled Lord, I Want to Know You. I thought I'd share the names I've gone through so far.

When reading a book, it's often important to know the author and some of the background behind the story. It's even more important to know Jesus and who God is when reading Scripture. It's been encouraging to be reminded of the names of God over the last several weeks.

Names in Jewish history and culture held much more significance than names today. A name summed up the person and his character and sometimes the time period he lived in. For instance, Nabal's name meant "foolish", and as his wife attested to, he certainly lived up to that name. A priest's wife named her child Ichabod, meaning "Where is glory?" or "no glory", when she heard the ark of the covanent had been taken by the Philistines. Ruth means "friendship" and we see how she lived up to this name in her loyalty to Naomi.

So it is with the names of God--each one tells something about His character and who He is.

Elohim
This is the first of the names in the Old Testament, for it is used in Genesis 1:1. The significance of this name especially is that the Hebrew is plural, showing proof of the Trinity. This is the word often translated as "God" in the OT. He's the God of gods, and as described in Genesis, He is the Creator of the world. He is supreme over all and He created each one of us in the image of Himself. Knowing this name reminds us that we should be living out God's purpose for our lives since we bear His image in our body and spirit.

Worthy are you, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honor and power,

for you created all things,

and by your will they existed and

were created.

Revelation 4:11

El Elyon

As the sovereign ruler of the universe, God is also the Most High God (as the name El Elyon means). He is in complete control of all and no one can thwart His plans or question His purposes. Nothing happens without His express permission and ultimate sanction. He controls life and death, poor and riche, honor and dishonor, light and dark, godly and wicked, weakness and strength, and is sovereign over absolutely everything else. Knowing this gives us assurance that the Most High's plans and purposes will prevail. 

I cry out to God Most High,

to God who fulfills his purpose for me.

Psalm 57:2

El Roi
This is the name revealed to Hagar after she was despised and mistreated of Sarai. Fleeing into the wilderness, God meets her there in the form of an angel, and promises that her son will be the first of many descendants. God would give her a son to be named Ishmael (meaning "God hears"), and Hagar would not ever forget how God heard her cry of affliction. After this encounter with God, Hagar is amazed that God would answer her and calls Him El Roi--the God who sees. Still today, there is nothing that God does not see, and sometimes in miraculous or ordinary ways He is pleased to answer our cries to Him. A reminder to us that nothing is hidden from God's sight.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place,

keeping watch on the evil and the good.

Proverbs 15:3

El Shaddai

God Almighty--the All-Sufficient One--appeared to Abram when he was ninety-nine years old. Renewing His covenant, that Abram would be the father of many nations, God uses the name El Shaddai to remind Abram that He can do anything, and that He will carry out His promise completely. He is sufficient for all. He's the sustainer of life, and His power is made perfect in weakeness. Through Paul, God reminds us that He is still El Shaddai to us today (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

When Abram was ninety-nine years old 

the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him,

"I am God Almighty;

walk before me and be blameless."

Genesis 17:1

Adonai

To be a believer in Christ, you must know God as Adonai--your Lord and Master. This is not merely a name someone can use of God, for Matthew records that there will be many who will call Jesus Lord, but not enter into heaven. As Lord and Master, this indicates our relationship and dependency on God. It shows that He has a right to demand obedience of us, and that we are to completely submit to Him .This name reminds us of God's Lordship over us, and is often translated as "Lord" in our English translations. The two words translated as Lord in Greet (NT) mean "supreme in authority, controller" and "an absolute ruler". This is the God we serve. 

I say to the Lord,

"You are my Lord;

I have no good apart from you."

Psalm 16:2

Jehovah

This name holds much history and meaning behind it. It's the name most frequently used in the OT and it comes from a Hebrew word meaning "to be, to become", which describes God's existence. It is typically translated as LORD in our Bibles, and it's the name which is related to the name God gave to Moses at the burning bush "I AM WHO I AM". God is self-existent, with no beginning or end. He gives life, but He is life in and of Himself. He cannot change, and His covenants remain steadfast. God revealed himself to Moses and the Israelites as Jehovah who is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in mercy and truth, and forgiving of sin though still exacting justice. 

God said to Moses,

"I AM WHO I AM."

And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel,

'I AM has sent me to you.'"

Exodus 3:14

There are many other names, and since I'm only one-third the way through Arthur's book, perhaps I will share more here as time goes on. I posted here two years ago of a video done by Eric Ludy going through the names of God. If you have the time, I'd encourage you to listen to it again HERE.

May you rest in the name of your God, knowing that it is a fortress and a strong tower for those who run to it. It is only in His name that you will find safety and security. 

Gospel of John, Part 3

Part 1
Part 2

Read John 15:1 - 8. What does this passage teach about salvation? Discipleship? Eternal security?

~~~~~

Beginning with the seventh “I AM” statement, John 15 opens with Jesus’ words “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.” In using this allegory, Jesus was identifying with a common Jewish symbol and sight in Israel.[1] Vineyards populated the land, because wine was the main beverage in the ancient Near East culture, so this comparison would have immediately brought to mind the plants, vines, and fruit that grew over the countryside.[2] Also in using the reference to the “vine”, Jesus was pulling from Old Testament passages which described Israel as a vine though which the Messiah would bless the nations.[3] Using this imagery, Jesus teaches about salvation, discipleship, and eternal security in John 15:1-8.

Salvation is evidenced by good works or a lack thereof, so in this passage, when the Vinedresser prunes the vines, this demonstrates the true faith of a believer. The Vinedresser, the Father, does not prune the branches that do not bear fruit (evidence of a lack of salvation); instead, He cuts them down, throws them away, and burns them with fire. In pruning the branches (those who are truly saved), He causes the vine to bear more fruit, just as chastisement and suffering conform us more to the image of Christ.[4] Those who do not bear fruit are not merely imperfect believers, but those who reject Christ’s salvation.[5] Bearing fruit does not produce salvation, but proves the genuineness of salvation in Jesus’ disciples.[6]

Discipleship is described in a similar manner. Though the vine may have numerous branches, the Vinedresser can tell them apart distinguishing the true and false disciples. The disciples who abide in Christ, bear fruit through obedience, and continue in Christ’s love are representative of the true disciples, and the Vinedresser continually prunes them so that they bring forth more fruit.[7] The unregenerate branches on the vine have a different ending: that of complete destruction by fire. This does not refer to believers losing their salvation, because Jesus promises never to cast away those who come to Him in true saving faith.[8] For the human eye, it may be difficult to tell the state of heart in a person, for unbelievers can—for a time—act as genuine Christians, but the Vinedresser knows those who abide in Him, and in the end the lifeless branches will be cast into eternal torment.[9]

R.C. Sproul said “If you have salvation—if you are truly reborn and have saving faith in your soul—you will have it forever, because if you have it, you never can lose it, and if you seemingly lose it, you never really had it.”[10] Here is a description of the doctrine of eternal security found in John 15. Those who abide in Christ demonstrating their salvation and walking in obedience to Christ’s commands as disciples will be eternally secure in the Father’s hand. If a believer’s security were to fail, then God’s covenant would be broken and Christ’s sacrifice on the cross would be nothing.[11] There would be no reason for Christ to die, to offer salvation, or to grant eternal life if eternal security were based on man’s ability to remain faithful to Christ. In Jesus, the saved are secure in their salvation forever; they need not fear “falling away” or “losing” their salvation. That is not to mean that believers never sin, for they will, but those who abide in Christ, evidencing works of salvation and repentance, will never be plucked out of the Father’s hand.

In conclusion, abiding in Christ, bearing the fruit of obedience, and living with eternal security in view is all to be done for the glory of God, proving our salvation by our works and demonstrating that we are true disciples of the True Vine.[12] When we glorify God through our willing obedience and demonstrate true discipleship by abiding in Christ, then our joy will be full.[13]

________________________________

[1] Elmer Towns, The Gospel of John, 150.
[2] John MacArthur, The New Testament Commentary, John 1-11, 79.
[3] Psalm 80:8, Isaiah 5:2, Jeremiah 2:21
[4] Hebrews 12:5-11
[5] Leon Morris, Jesus is the Christ, 137.
[6] John 15:8
[7] John MacArthur, The New Testament Commentary, John 1-11, 146.
[8] John 6:37, John 10:28-29
[9] John MacArthur, The New Testament Commentary, John 1-11, 152.
[10] R.C. Sproul, John (St. Andrew’s Expositional Commentary), Chapter 46.
[11] Lewis Sperry Chafer, The Calvinistic doctrine of security, 14-15.
[12] John 15:8
[13] John 5:10-11

His Light!

As I've been reading, listening, praying, and studying the Bible the last couple weeks, there has been a theme running throughout the topics I've gone through. And that is the theme of light. Light is mentioned all throughout the course of Scripture, but I'll just highlight a few of them here this week.

Let there be light.

Perhaps the most obvious reference to light is at the beginning of creation. When nothing except darkness exists, and the Creator ushers in the opposite of that darkness and drives it aside. He doesn't cast darkness completely aside, for day and night are meant for signs and seasons. Perhaps the darkness is also a reminder to us, too, that no matter how deep and dark the night is, dawn always comes, because light drives out darkness. You can't drive out darkness with darkness; only light can do that. And so even at the beginning of time, God offers a contrast, a hope, a difference, to what already was (darkness) by bringing light to the world.

The Lord is my light.

I was reminded of the my post last month quoting Psalm 27. Here, David the psalmist, contrasts the light of redemption to the darkness of condemnation. In his opening verse he says, "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" The name Yahweh, often written as LORD, refers to God's deity, that He is the self-existent and self-eternal One. It has its roots in the name Ehyeh which is the name God uses in Exodus 3:14 to say "I AM". As fire from the burning bush, Moses did indeed see that the Lord is our light, just as David says in Psalm 27. I've heard it said that "Only those who can say 'The LORD is my light and my salvation' can say 'Of whom shall I be afraid?'".

I AM the light of the world.

I studied this in the first half of my Bible course on John. The setting in John 8 is the Feast of the Tabernacles. All Jewish males were required to celebrate this feast which took place during harvest season. The people lived in "tents" created out of tree branches for the first seven days of the feast, commemorating God's provision for their forefathers in the wilderness.There was also a special water-pouring ceremony, as well as singing, sacrifices, and dancing. Jesus uttered this description of Himself ("I am the light of the world") likely after a special lamp-lighting ceremony took place. Huge cadelabras were lit in the Court of the Women where Jesus was speaking. These lights were apparently so bright and so large that no court in Jerusalem would have missed seeing them. Everyone danced around them in celebration while singing praise to God. They were a reminder of how God led the people by a pillar of fire at night through the wilderness. And against this backdrop, Christ proclaims "I AM the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). This is the same word that Jesus uses in Matthew 4:16 when He quotes Isaiah: "The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned." He was the physical light that led them, but He came as the promised spiritual light to the dark and empty hearts of the world.

You are the light of the world...let your light shine before others.

Matthew 15:14-16 lists some well-known verses for believers. Not only does God create light, express it in His being, and show forth the radiance of light in His Son, but He also gives that light to us. Through salvation, we become witnesses and inheritors of that light, and we're to set it on a hill and spread it all around. We share in that light, that Gospel message. It's ours to claim through faith in Christ, and it's ours to share through His commission. 

Let us...put on the armor of light.

Paul reminds us that as children of light, walking in the light, we're to put on the armor of light. Armor is meant for protection against the enemy, and Paul details the armor of God in Ephesians 6: the belt of truth, the breastplate of rightousness, shoes of the gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Combined with prayer and perseverence, these pieces of armor provide a formidable force against any foe. We must continue to put away the works of darkness and we do this by putting on the armor of light daily. If we profess to own the Light of the World in our hearts, then we must wear the armor of the Light that we're representing. Our ministry must match our message. 

Light in the dark.

Light is offered as comfort to us from the Lord. It's also something people would pray for in distress or praise God for in times of rejoicing. 

"Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!" (Psalm 4:6)

"For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk befor eGod in the light of life." (Psalm 56:13)

"Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous." (Psalm 112:4)

God's Word is light.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105) In the darkness of this world, God's word provides the light necessary to continue walking through the valleys. For those who don't have this light, this world is the best they will ever get. But for those who have the "light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ" (2 Cor.4:4) they will have the Light of the world dispelling the darkness of their hearts and providing a path on which to walk. Our road map is the Word of light, because "the unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple" (Psalm 119:130). We're a new creation that radiates the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor.4:6).

The Lord God will be their light.

This world isn't all. There is a life after death, and for believers we will live with the Creator and Being of Light. The Light that was given to us in our hearts and proclaimed by the Word will be the light that we live forever with. We only demonstrate a fraction of this light, but in the new heavens and new earth, we will live in the light of the Lord. There will be no night, no darkness, to dispell anymore. No physical night and no spiritual darkness will be there. "[We] will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be [our] light, and [we] will reign forever and ever" (Revelation 22:5). The best is yet to come. Our Everlasting Light will not just be in our hearts, but He will stand before us, and we will bow to and reign with that Light. 

And so, with the physical light of day being our reminder, let us keep the light in our hearts burning, as we remember the Creator of Light who sent His Son as Light to the world. He offers the Word of light as comfort and direction to all who believe, and we are given the armor of light to fight against the forces of darkness. We are the light-bearers to the world, until that day when the Light comes from heaven and we reign in the glory of the Light of the Son of God.

When I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me.

-Micah 7:8b

O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.

-Isaiah 2:5

Gospel of John, Part 2

Last month I posted my first assignment from the course I'm taking on the Gospel of John. Here is my second writing assignment.

Writing Prompt:
In what ways does Jesus fulfill the symbolism underlying the Feast of Tabernacles?

~~~

First recorded in Exodus 23:16 as the Feast of Ingathering, The Feast of Booths—or Feast of Tabernacles as it’s called in John’s Gospel—was perhaps the greatest feast for the Israelites as a nation.[1] The first seven days of this feast included booths or “tabernacles” made from trees and branches from the surrounding area. They would also offer specific sacrifices for each day.[2] The eighth feast day was to be a day of rest in which the people also presented offerings to the Lord[3] and prayed for rain.[4] All Jewish men were required to attend the annual Feast of Booths[5] which started during the month of Tishri (September/October) during harvest season.[6] This feast time and festival served as thanksgiving to God for current firstfruits of the harvest, as well a time of remembrance for the forty years in which God cared for them in the wilderness.[7] Jesus would have been well aware of the customs and culture of His day regarding this feast, and in many ways, Christ fulfills the symbolism of the Feast of Booths (or Tabernacles).

The temporary “tabernacles” made out of branches and trees[8] were used during the seven feast days as dwelling places for a reminder of God’s provision in spite of their sin.[9] In Jesus, God provided protection and eternal life when “the Word became flesh and ‘tabernacled’ among us”. [10] Christ didn’t leave them with the image of a temporary shelter for a feast day, but instead lived in human form and provided rescue from sin and an eternal home with God. [11]

In John 6, Jesus describes Himself as the Bread of Life. Perhaps the Jews would have remembered the bread that came from heaven while their ancestors wandered in the wilderness for forty years. Now standing before their very eyes was the One who was the sustaining and satisfying eternal Bread of Life.[12] The crowd demonstrated previously that they remembered the manna in the wilderness,[13] but yet the hearts of the religious leaders grumbled and disputed against Christ because of the emptiness of their outward religion.[14]

One of the specific ceremonies during the Feast of Booths was a water ritual. This was not a commandment given by God, but rather an important tradition of the religious leaders, and again it was a reminder to the Jews of God’s provision of water during the wilderness wanderings of their ancestors.[15] The priest drew water out of the pool of Siloam for each day of the feast, and then, along with a procession of others, the sounds of the trumpet, and the Hallel chorus, the high priest poured out the water as an offering to the Lord.[16] With this in mind and likely in the minds of the Jews, Jesus spoke these words: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”[17] Jesus was not merely a temporary quench of thirst to parched throats, as the waters in the wilderness were; rather, He was the eternal water from which no one would ever thirst again, if they would only come to Him and drink.

Jesus second “I AM” statement occurs in John 8, and it also held much rich symbolism for the Jewish[18] Perhaps as high as 75 feet high, these lamps were a visible reminder of the fire that led the Israelites by night through the wilderness and also of Yahweh’s promise to send the Messiah and redeem Israel’s glory among the nations.[19] It was likely that after this ceremony, in the physical darkness of Jerusalem, Jesus spoke these words to the people:[20] “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”[21] Once again, using the symbolism and ceremonies of the Feast of Booths, Jesus points out the spiritual darkness of the Jews and calls them to repent and “walk in the light, as he is in the light.”[22]

culture. Another ceremony practiced during the Feast of Booths was the Illumination of the Temple. Four huge golden candelabras or oil-filled lamps were lit in the Court of the Women.

---

[1] Elmer Towns, The Gospel of John, 69

[2] Numbers 29

[3] Leviticus 23:33-43

[4] Joel Wilbush, Three midwinter celebrations: an exploration, 235-6

[5] Deuteronomy 16:16

[6] Elmer Towns, The Gospel of John, 69

[7]  Ibid.

[8] Nehemiah 8:15-16

[9] Elmer Towns, The Gospel of John, 76

[10] John 1:14

[11] http://www.jewishroots.net/holidays/feast-of-tabernacles/feast-of-tabernacles-holiday-page.html#Messiah (accessed February 4, 2016).

[12] Elmer Towns, The Gospel of John, 64

[13] John 6:31

[14] John 6:4152

[15] John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: John 1-11, 312

[16] Ibid.

[17] John 7:37-38, ESV

[18] John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: John 1-11, 334

[19] http://www.jewishroots.net/holidays/feast-of-tabernacles/feast-of-tabernacles-holiday-page.html#Messiah (accessed February 4, 2016).

[20] Leon Morris, Jesus is the Christ, 112

[21] John 8:12, ESV

[22] 1 John 1:7, ESV

Gospel of John, Part 1

I began my third course through Liberty University on January 18th. In 2014 when I took their introductory course on Life Coaching, I think I shared some of my previous assignments here on Facing the Waves. I hope to do the same in the next few months with my assignments from this course on the Gospel of John.

Writing Prompt:
It is often said that John is the Gospel to the world (and Matthew to the Jews, Mark to the Romans, and Luke to the Greeks). But in 1924, Israel Abrahams said, "To us Jews, the Fourth Gospel is the most Jewish of the four!" What is in the Gospel of John that would cause a Jewish scholar to say this? If it is true, why do many people tell new converts to begin by reading John?

~~~

   The Gospel of John is centered on proclaiming the deity of Christ while offering life to those who believe on His name. [1] While Matthew’s Gospel was written primarily for a Jewish audience [2], Israel Abrahams claimed that John was the most Jewish of the four gospels, and John’s record of Jesus’ life gives good proof of this.

   The three synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) tend to focus on Jesus ministry in Galilee, while John focuses on His Judean ministry.[3] The Messiah had been long promised to come from the tribe of Judah[4], so a Jewish scholar would have understood the references to a Messiah in the numerous prophecies from the Old Testament Scriptures.

   John also records many of Jesus’ appearances and events in Jerusalem, the capital city of the Israelite nation. The Jewish festivals, imagery, and symbols of the culture would not escape a Jewish scholar’s notice either[5], for the Gospel of John is more completely understood in the context of its culture and history. The Passover was a notable event for the Jew to celebrate, and John records four Passover events[6] in the life of Christ[7].

   John lists seven specific “I AM” sayings of Christ.[8] These also allude to many Old Testament references. For instance, by saying that He was the true vine, the good shepherd, and the light of the world, Jesus was claiming to be no other than the Jehovah God of the Israelite nation[9]. In the eighth “I AM” statement (recorded several times throughout the Gospel of John), Jesus directly identifies Himself with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the God who spoke to Moses from the burning bush. He was claiming equality with Yahweh and John uses these statements to prove Christ’s deity.

 

 John also uses over 20 titles for Jesus in the first chapter of his Gospel.[10] These titles alone, if nothing else were written about Christ, would reveal the Jewish symbolism, history, prophecy, and significance of this Gospel.[11] Titles such as the Suffering Savior, the Passover Lamb, the Shepherd-King, and the Greater David describe characteristics and meanings  of Christ deeply rooted in Jewish history and prophecy.

 Jesus also directly interacted with His Jewish culture. He knew the times He was living in and He confronted the outward religious actions that demonstrated a lack of heart knowledge. John records Jesus’ interaction with Nicodemus in John 3, giving us some of the most well-known verses in the Bible[12]. One of the reasons Christians today encourage new converts to read John’s gospel is because it clearly and simply presents the salvation message[13]. While Jesus does indeed battle the external show of Judaism in His day[14] using references to Old Testament references to sacrifices, rituals, Levitical laws[15], Christ’s message of rebirth, renewal, and repentance is timeless and just as applicable for people today[16]. The mission of John’s Gospel was specifically for a Jewish nation, but yet Christ’s words held eternal life—life that spanned every background, ethnicity, culture, and society. Today there is also a great show of outward religion in our culture, and John’s “believe and live” message strikes at the heart of the Gospel, offering a clear explanation of redemption to all mankind.

   He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. but to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:11-12, ESV)

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[1] Elmer Towns, The Gospel of John, xi.

[2] John MacArthur, The MacArthur Study Bible, ESV, 1341

[3] John MacArthur, The MacArthur Study Bible, ESV, 1341

[4] Genesis 49:10

[5] Craig S. Keener, Gospel of John, 171

[6] John 2:13, 5:1, 6:4, 11:55

[7] Elmer Towns, The Gospel of John, xix

[8] John 6:35, 8:12, 10:9, 10:11, 11:25, 14:6, 15:5, 8:58

[9] Elmer Towns, The Gospel of John, xiv

[10] Elmer Towns, The Gospel of John, 6

[11] Craig S. Keener, Gospel of John, 174

[12] John 3:15-16

[13] Elmer Towns, The Gospel of John, viii

[14] John MacArthur, The Gospel According to Jesus, 56

[15] John MacArthur, The Gospel According to Jesus, 54

[16] Elmer Towns, The Gospel of John, viii

Christ Revealed to Moses and Joshua

I read Joshua 1-14 this morning, and in Joshua 5, we have the passage where the Lord appears to Joshua. This passage is very similar to Exodus 3 where God commissions Moses to lead the people of Israel, and in Joshua 5, the Lord appears to Joshua confirming that he is now Moses' successor.

Exodus 3:1-6
Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

Joshua 5:13-15

When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” And the commander of the LORD’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

Both these men recognized that they were in the presence of the Almighty God, and interacted with God in a way that showed reverence and respect. Both were commanded to remove their shoes for they were standing on holy ground. God revealed Himself to Moses as I AM, and to Joshua He was the Commander of the Army--the preincarnate Christ revealed to man in all His power. 

And the God who was revealed to these men is the same God who is revealed to us today in His Word, for "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). Let us worship Him for who He is.