Two Miracles in 2 Kings

This week reading through 2 Kings, I noticed two accounts which had miracles similiar to other more well-known stories in Scripture. Did you know the Jordan river was parted and walked across on dry ground? And twenty barley loaves plus fresh ears of grain managed to feed a hundred men?

Elijah tells his follower, Elisha, that he will be taken to heaven by the Lord today. Elijah took his cloak and struck the water, parting it for him and Elisha, and the two crossed over together. Elisha then requested that a double portion of Elijah's spirit be granted to him. Elijah said that if Elisha saw him taken up into heaven, then Elisha's request would be granted. Elisha watched as chariots and horses of fire and a whirlwind caught up his master to glory. Elisha then took up the cloak of Elijah and returned to the Jordan River striking the water in the same manner and walked across on dry ground. (2 Kings 2:1-14)

The second account takes place two chapters later and demonstrates in a smaller way a miracle Jesus would later perform. Elisha has just finished providing edible stew for the sons of the prophets. Famine had taken over the land, and food was scarce. A man comes and brings Elisha barley bread and fresh ears of grain. Elisha commands his servant to feed the group of men which numbered about a hundred. Still Elisha tells him to set it before them, as the Lord had said they would eat and have some left over. So Elisha's servant obeys. "And they ate and had some left, accourding to the word of the Lord." (2 Kings 4:42-44)

I found it interesting how the first miracle pointed back in history to Moses' parting of the Red Sea, and then the second miracle forshadows the future miracles of Jesus. One man, Elisha, was priviledged to take part in each of these miracles. Likely he did not completely understand the part he would play in reminding us of the past faithfulness of God, while also providing us hope for the future.

Pondering Words

In beginning a six-month plan through the Bible, I once again read through Genesis. As we're
introduced to Joseph, his brothers, and his father, we begin to understand the family dynamics a bit more as the chapters progress. Brothers are jealous, father has favorites, and Joseph is considered "strange" by his family. Genesis 37 is the chapter in which Joseph is introduced and he reveals the dreams that he's been having to his family. Whether or not this was a good course of action is somewhat debated, though I tend to think it was rather unwise. However, we note the responses of his father and brothers. His brothers are indignant and angry that he would have dreams that demonstrate him ruling over them, and his father follows in a similar response in rebuking his son. But afterwards, one verse is given to us:

And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind. (Genesis 37:11)

While Joseph's brothers were immediately angry and judgmental of their younger brother, Joseph's father initially rebukes him, and yet he seems to ponder the words of his son. We don't know whether or not Joseph knew his father was thinking about his dreams or not, but the Bible tells us that he was. Jacob himself had had many encounters with God; perhaps the most memorable being that he wrestled with God himself and the Lord put his hip out of joint in the end. With Jacob's past history of visions and meetings with God, perhaps he had more reverence for such things in his son.

This verse reminded me of another person who pondered things in her mind, as well. Mary, the mother of Jesus, also initially rebuked her Son when He remained behind at the temple in Jerusalem after the Passover. Searching for three days, His parents grew anxious, and finally found Him questioning and listening to the Jewish rulers. Jesus responds by questioning them as to why they were looking for Him, seeing as He was doing His Father's business in His Father's house. They did not understand His words at the time, but we're told that...

...his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. (Luke 2:51)

Again, another parent hears the words of their child and ponders the meaning. While Jacob and Mary may seem to have little in common, they both come to realize the profound impact of their children's words later on in life. Perhaps they both regretted rebuking them, or perhaps they simply came to a greater knowledge of God through their life story. But I am certain that later on, they understood the bigger picture of a boy with dreams and another boy who followed an unseen Father's commands. Perhaps it's meant as a lesson for us, too. Don't rebuke another hastily when you don't understand. A good lesson for us as humans are naturally quick to speak and slow to listen.

A Bigger Picture, Part Seven

There are five steps or phases included in the lectio divina, which in Latin, means “holy reading” or “prayerful reading”.[1] This practice has roots in ancient history and it focuses on feeling and listening to God speaking to us and transforming our lives.[2] When used alongside the inductive approach to biblical interpretation, these steps are meant provide revelation from the Spirit in accordance with God’s written Word. However, it is important to remember that our feelings are not necessarily always in alignment with the Spirit, rather, we must conform our emotions to what the Word of God shows us through the Spirit.[3]

   

The first step, Silencio, refers to the reader setting a quiet time aside to prepare his heart to enter the Lord’s presence.[4] This step should be helpful in any sort of devotional time, because in this fast-paced 21^st century, people often forget how to sit alone in the quiet to study the Word and pray. Reading the Word is hearing God’s voice, and prayer is communication with Him, so it’s vital to set aside regular time to worship the Lord.

  

The second step, Lectio, focuses on choosing a Scripture passage and reading it slowly out loud.[5] The reader needs to concentrate on allowing God’s words to say what they say, rather than reading his own words into it. Also the reader needs to apply the words specifically to himself and not to others, as is so easy to do. This aspect would definitely be vital for a Christian, because it is important to make sure that one is right with God before calling others out.

   

Meditatio directs the reader to connect the Scripture with some part of his current life situation. Reading the passage slowly again and allowing the words to sink into his heart and mind, the reader can more closely focus on what principles God is teaching. This step could be concerning, as it may lead some readers to overspiritualize the text, but through careful study, the reader can glean the principles that God has revealed to us.[6]

   

After concentrated study on the passage, the fourth step, Oratio, tells readers to use this time to pray through the passage, asking God to show His truth and point out areas where actions and attitudes need to be aligned to His Word.[7] Praying to God allows the opportunity to speak honestly with the Lord and often times helps to pinpoint areas of struggle.

   

The last step, Comtemplatio, includes the aspect of prayer in surrendering the past, present, and future to God in light of the passage that was read. Through prayer the reader also should ask that the Lord would continue His transforming work in his life, and then thank God for all He has done and continues to do.[8]

In conclusion, these five steps pointed me back to the meaning of my personal devotions—that of time

alone with God through reading and prayer. In choosing the passage from Psalm 62, I was reminded of God’s eternal character. He is our rock and our salvation and our fortress. Our hope rests in Him alone. Our glory comes from Him being our one refuge. It is in the needed silence that we learn to trust in Him. He desires our prayers and He is pleased to answer them in His timing and His way for His glory and our good. Through these verses, God instructs us to entrust our life to Him and to render to Him the cries of our heart, because He will be a refuge for us. He has promised that, and because of that promise we can remain unshaken and steadfast in our hope.

---

[1] J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays, Grasping God's Word (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012), 231. /12.2.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid., 230./12.2.

[4] Ibid., 231./12.2.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Ibid.

[8] Ibid.

A Bigger Picture, Part Five

What are the differences between inspiration and illumination? Does the Holy Spirit still “speak” to believers today? How should you respond to somebody who says that the Holy Spirit “told them” to do something?

~~~~~

Inspiration is defined as the Holy Spirit’s work in the Biblical authors’ lives causing them to communicate the word of God to us.[1] The Scriptures are God-breathed, and as a result, they are perfect and sufficient for every person and every situation. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states that Scripture is inspired by God and have “the power and authority to shape our lives because it comes from God himself.”[2] Illumination refers to the “ongoing work of the Spirit”[3] to bring people to Christ and receive the truth of the gospel. The inspiration of the biblical canon is complete and closed, but illumination still carries on. Jesus’ teachings continue to work in hearts and minds. The Spirit and the Word go together. Because of the inspiration of the Scriptures and the illumination of the Spirit, personal experience, emotions, situations, or general opinions do not stand above the Word of God. We do not add meaning to Scripture; rather, we discover the meaning already there in the inspired text.[4]

The Holy Spirit does indeed still speak to believers today. However, this is not typically by hearing an audible voice, as some people suggest. The Bible is sufficient for everything, and the Word of God, through the illumination of the Spirit, continues to speak to believers and unbelievers. Peoples’ emotions, opinions, needs, and wants do not always line up with what the Bible teaches, so when people say “God spoke to me and told me to do this”, they must be sure that it does not contradict Scripture in any way. Many of our desires are God-given and are good desires, but that does not necessarily mean that God spoke to us in a dream, revelation, vision, etc. It may simply mean that the desires we have (the good ones) reflect the image of God in us, and must be used for His glory. God continues to speak to us, but through His inspired Word. “The Spirit enables us to grasp the meaning of the Scriptures at a deeper level.”[5] He gives us the ears to hear and the heart to understand what the revelation of the Word means, thus helping us to hear “God speak to us”. This isn’t new revelation, but new understanding for the individual. It enables Christians to align their emotions and thoughts to the Word in a new way, and it helps new believers know the differences between their feelings and what the Holy Spirit commands. The Spirit and the Word never contradict one another; therefore, if what someone feels, desires, does, or thinks, goes against Scripture, then it is not of or from God.[6] To quote Steven Lawson, “Do you want to hear the audible voice of God? Read the Bible out loud.” 

---

[1] J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays, Grasping God's Word (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012), 226.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid., 230.

[6] Ibid.

Break Time!

Taking a break for the next two weeks! Will be back again on the 23rd of September. Check out my book review blog for some great reads this month! God bless.

May Quotes

God has a purpose for your life. You have something to do here. 

-Pendragon (movie)

And wars are exhausting — especially long ones. That’s why you are often tired. Most soldiers who experience the fierceness of combat want to get out of it. That’s why you feel urges to escape or surrender. That’s why there are times you’re tempted to give up.

"But don’t give up. No, rather “take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded” (2 Chronicles 15:7).

-Unknown

Live as though Christ died yesterday, rose from the grave today, and is coming back tomorrow.

-Unknown

When a man comes to the point that he will no longer receive anything except from the hands of him who has the right to withhold, and in who giving alone lies the value of possession, then is he approaching the inheritance of the saints in light, those whose strength is made perfect in weakness. But some, for the present, can in no way comprehend such matters any more than the chickens in the yard. Their hour will come; in the meantime, they are counted the fortunate ones of the earth.

-George MacDonald (The Laird's Inheritance)

I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever.

-Unknown

All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. 

 -J.R.R. Tolkien

If two friends ask you to judge a dispute, don’t accept, because you will lose one friend; on the other hand, if two strangers come with the same request, accept because you will gain one friend. 

-Augustine of Hippo

Times will come in life when you’ll realize you’ve made a mistake. At that moment, you have two choices: You can swallow your pride and “pull a few nails,” or you can foolishly continue your course, hoping the problem will go away. Most of the time the problem will only get worse. …When you realize you’ve made a mistake, the best thing you can do is tear it down and start over.

-Joshua Harris

It is in the unknown that fellowship with my Lord is sweetest. It is in the unknown that God's mercy is most beautifully manifested. It is in the unknown that our faith is refined and comes forth shining more brightly.

-Unknown

Never did the Church so much prosper and so truly thrive as when she was baptized in blood. The ship of the Church never sails so gloriously along as when the bloody spray of her martyrs falls upon her deck.

-C.H. Spurgeon

Why did you do all this for me?' he asked. 'I don't deserve it. I've never done anything for you.' 

'You have been my friend,' replied Charlotte. 'That in itself is a tremendous thing.' 

-E.B. White

He is your friend who pushes you nearer to God.

-Abraham Kuyper

Prayer is the greatest of all forces, because it honours God

and brings Him into active aid.

-E.M. Bounds

A Christian home should be a place of peace, and there can be no peace where there is no self-denial.

-Elisabeth Elliot

Because in the end, any book that comes the closest to the themes of good and evil in Scripture will always ring closest to our own hearts. The triumph of Ultimate Good is the theme of eternity. And God has written eternity on the hearts of men.

-Schuyler McConkey

The Reading Habits Tag

Well, there's an extra Friday this month, so I thought I'd pick up a book/reading tag from Lady B's blog. I don't write much about myself here anymore, but perhaps this will give my readers a little inside look at the author of all the Facing the Waves devotionals. I'm not just a writer. I'm a reader.

Random Facts about Me (and My Books)
Last year, I bought the lifetime version of LibraryThing.com and began cataloguing all my books. It was a long process at first, but now it's much easier, as I just add them in as I get them. Currently, I'm at 963 books. The scary thing is that I should be able to make it to 1000 books by the end of the year. Without any trouble.

I have nine individual shelves of books. Seven of which are in my room. I have two shelves of the books I used to read as a kid. One shelf holds counseling/coaching/life type books and my special fiction books. Another shelf has my favorite non-fiction books. The shelf above my bed has all the books I've never read (easily accessible ;), and the remaining two shelves holds fiction and non-fiction books that I don't read much.

I have the Kindle app on my laptop and I have several hundred books in there, I think. I'm trying to do better at reading them, because sometimes I forget they exist. I like my "real" books better. ;) I also have a Pinterest board of book quotes and book shelves and pictures and book house ideas. Maybe someday the hidden rooms or stairs or windowseats made out of books will be come a reality. 

I don't throw away books. Perhaps that's a fault of mine, but unless a book is completely bad with no hope of redemption, then I don't throw them away. I might not recommend them to people or display them where people can see them, but they're still there somewhere. 

I love series of books, and I attempt to collect them when I can. There are some amazing Christian fiction and allegory-type books coming out by young authors, and I'm hoping to find more series as I find good ones. The covers of books in the last 3-4 years...oh my. They've been amazing. I wish I could say that the content is always as good, but as I haven't read all the new books, I can't. However, the authors and illustrators and publishers are doing an amazing job of cover details. 

My family tells me I have book radar. There are few book stores or book sales that I can go by and not stop at. I also don't miss the signs leading up to them. I always take a book with me wherever I go. You know. Just In Case. I sign up for all the websites that offer free books, and I enter the giveaways for books (never won any, of course). And I'm starting to try to help out authors and buyers by posting short reviews--haven't created a habit of that, yet, but I hope to!

I don't like reading a series as it's published. I'd rather wait until the whole series is complete and then just read straight through it all. And I'm not one of those people who loves the books better than the movie necessarily. In some cases there are extreme differences, but somehow I can love the books and movies as they are and for what they show individually. 

So...all that because those are extra details you probably won't find in the answers to the tag questions. ;) 

1. Do you have a certain place at home for reading?
My bed or my desk(s). It really doesn't matter actually. I can read anywhere in any place. I like to read at my desk if it's a Kindle book or I read in my bed before I go to sleep. I remember when I was younger I cleaned out under my desk and created a little hideout by covering the desk with a blanket. Then I'd just sit under my desk and read there. It wasn't very comfortable, though, so it didn't last long. I think I liked the idea better than the reality of it. Couches are great for reading, too. 

2. Bookmark or random piece of paper?
Both. I use bookmarks primarily, but if I don't have one accessable, then I use paper, money, kleenex, tissue paper, grocery lists, receipts, bobby pins, another book, earbuds, or whatever happens to be lying around. I don't like lying the book face open, though. That's just horrible. I always stick something in it rather than splitting the spin by lying it down open. But I try to carry bookmarks around with me. I have a container next to my bed with all my special bookmarks in it.

3. Can you just stop reading or do you have to stop after a chapter/ a certain amount of pages?
Non-fiction books I can stop anywhere, though I always try to finish the chapter. When reading fiction, I try to end the scene, wherever that might be. But when all else fails, I just stop--fiction or non-fiction. I can usually pick it up just fine later on, so I don't think about it too much. 

4. Do you eat or drink while reading?
Yes, I have done and do both. Sometimes I'll avoid it if it's a really special book or if it's brand new, but I'm pretty good at not damaging books while I read. Comes with practice I guess...and from being homeschooled and doing online college. :P

5. Multitasking: Music or TV while reading?
Well, we've never had a TV, but I can read with movies and music. Sometimes I listen to music on purpose while reading. I don't typically read while watching a movie, but I have been tempted to sometimes. I can read through most noise and distraction, which I think is nice. It has it's pros and cons. ;) I can do many things while reading: listen to lectures for school (which isn't the best idea ever, actually), texting, music, listening to conversations, walking around the house, eating. And audio books are great when driving. I'm just finding that out recently!

6. One book at a time or several at once?
Several at once. I like finishing a book on a fairly regular basis, and that doesn't happen if it's a slower-going book. I have about four on the go right now. I tend to read fiction very quickly, so it's good to throw one of those in now and then to balance out the non-fiction that sometimes takes longer. I read several non-fiction at once to give me variety in topics and to connect mentally with another topic if one book is just not working. 

7. Reading at home or everywhere?
Everywhere! In doctors' offices, airplanes, cars, libraries, parks, beaches, malls, bedrooms, dentists', backyards, barns, lofts, alone, with friends. Anywhere, basically. When it's not rude. ;) And read late at night or early in the morning. 

8. Reading out loud or silently in your head?
In my head. I can read fine out loud, but I read much quicker in my head so it keeps me mentally alert, rather than forcing my brain to slow down to verbalizing each word. I understand things quicker and better when I read in my head, than when I read out loud. Though, when things are hard to understand (like for school or exams), I have been known to say the sentence or paragraph aloud to try to understand it better. I like reading in my head, because the imagination creates the voices and scenes which can be shattered if someone reads it aloud. 

9. Do you read ahead or even skip pages?
I read ahead. Particularly the endings. Especially if I'm suspicious of the author's plot and I want to make sure some character makes it to the end. In reading non-fiction, sometimes I'll skip ahead to a topic that I need or that is more relevant. However, I don't read ahead often, and if I do, I read it again when I come around to it a second time. I never skip pages not to read them. I just return to them later on. I once attempted to read ahead on a short story someone was writing for me. *cough* It didn't work very well despite my pleas and arguments. But they can't say I didn't try..and it was most fun in the process. :D 

10. Breaking the spine or keeping it like new?
I like to keep it new. Breaking the spine does eventually happen, but I try to keep my books in as good condition as they came (or better, if they were bought second-hand). I don't mind getting books in rough shape. I like to think they get a better home with me, but on the other hand, I love the new-new of books straight from the bookstore. 

11. Do you write in your books? 
The first thing I do when I get a book is write my name and the date in it. I didn't always do that, so I'm guessing that many of my books are missing that, but I've been doing it for several years now, and I intend to keep up the practice. I don't write in my books, but I will underline sentences or bracket paragraphs if I find them meaningful. I didn't used to do that, but college courses cause me to mark things so I wouldn't spend hours trying to find that one paragraph. I highlight in my Kindle books when I remember to do so. Other than that I don't typically write in my books. But I do write messages on the first available page when I'm giving books to friends. That's a special part of giving and receiving books. 

There you have it. A little more about me and my books. I read to learn...to educate myself, but also to find people, places, and characters who have lived life and come out victorious on the other side. I read to find hope. But the best place to receive wisdom, education, and hope is from the Bible. All other stories and authors are only tiny replicas of The Greatest Story ever written. And they are replicas in and of themselves, because, regardless of the content (and yes, sometimes it can be very bad content), people are made in the image of God and they have eternity set in their hearts. So whatever we do (though we can use it for good or bad due to our human nature) stems from an internal knowledge of a Creator, and is a tiny copy, a mirror, an imitation of the Best Author. 

So, yes...

What about you? 

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 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