Category Archives: Bible Study

AMAZED!

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Luke 7:1-10 NLT‬
[1] When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people, he returned to Capernaum. [2] At that time the highly valued slave of a Roman officer was sick and near death. [3] When the officer heard about Jesus, he sent some respected Jewish elders to ask him to come and heal his slave. [4] So they earnestly begged Jesus to help the man. “If anyone deserves your help, he does,” they said, [5] “for he loves the Jewish people and even built a synagogue for us.” [6] So Jesus went with them. But just before they arrived at the house, the officer sent some friends to say, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honor. [7] I am not even worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. [8] I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.” [9] When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd that was following him, he said, “I tell you, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!” [10] And when the officer’s friends returned to his house, they found the slave completely healed.

Two things amazed Jesus, faith and unbelief!

Strange, isn’t it, that the man whose faith amazed Jesus was a Gentile, a Roman, and the unbelief that also amazed Him was from His own people, the Jews. One would have expected it to be the other way around.

What made this Roman official’s faith in Jesus so remarkable? He recognised that Jesus’ authority was authentic, that He was submitted to an Authority greater than Himself and that that Authority authorised Him to speak the word that would be obeyed because higher Authority backed up that authority by His own superior power and position. (We must remember that, during His time on earth, Jesus voluntarily subjected Himself to the Father’s authority).

This Roman officer was obviously a military-trained man. He held a position of authority lower than the Emperor but higher than the soldiers under him. Therefore, he expected obedience from his inferiors in keeping with his obedience to his superior authority.

What a picture of real faith… and Jesus was amazed that he, a Gentile, got it! This man didn’t consider Jesus’ human origin as a reason not to believe in Him. He recognised Jesus’ power over natural situations as a reason to trust Him. He was convinced by the evidence rather than put off by faulty reasoning or prejudice.

This is exactly John’s purpose for his use of signs to confirm Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God. “Examine the evidence,” he said.

‭John 20:30-31 NLT‬
[30] “The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. [31] But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.”

On the other hand, Jesus’ people rejected the evidence in favour of their own reasoning and prejudice. They had a long history of unbelief in the God of their ancestors, and paid a high price for their disobedience. Despite God’s miraculous intervention in their times of distress, they still refused to believe the evidence.

‭Mark 6:1-3 NLT‬
[1] “Jesus left that part of the country and returned with his disciples to Nazareth, his hometown. [2] The next Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. They asked, “Where did he get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?” [3] Then they scoffed, “He’s just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.” They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him…
[5] And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. [6] And he was amazed at their unbelief… “

Instead of viewing the signs that should have convinced them that He was their Messiah, they looked at His human origin as proof that He was no more than an ordinary man.

It is natural to allow circumstances to colour our reasoning. Even John the Baptist’s faith wobbled when he was in prison and in danger of execution.

Matthew 11:2-6 NLT‬
[2]” John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, [3] “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” [4] Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen— [5] the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor…. “

Jesus sent John’s disciples back to him with this caution,

” [6] And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.”

In times like these, we need to rein in our emotions and allow sane thinking to lead us to the truth. Like the three Hebrew men in danger of being thrown into Nebuchadnezzar’s fire for not bowing to his image, we need the kind of faith that will not be shaken by circumstances.

Our faith must grow to the point where we can say, ” But if not… we will not bow to your image.”

What demonstration of Jesus authority can be greater than this incident?

‭Mark 2:1-12 NLT‬
[1] When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. [2] Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, [3] four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. [4] They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. [5] Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” [6] But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, [7] “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” [8] Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? [9] Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? [10] So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, [11] “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” [12] And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!”

This remarkable miracle should have convinced His opponents that He is who He said He is, but it did not!

QED!

THE SNAKE ON A POLE… 7

Bible Study, ,

John 3:14 NIV‬
[14] “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up… “

What a strange symbol Jesus used about Himself! Is there some hidden meaning in this picture of a snake on a pole?

Nicodemus, as a trained religious leader, would have been familiar with the stories of Israel’s journey through the wilderness. Every detail would have been etched on his mind through years of reading and study. Every word would have been scrutinised to draw out all the nuances of its meaning.

However, his encounter with Jesus would add something completely foreign to his understanding. A man, lifted up like a snake on a pole! What could Jesus be talking about?

Nicodemus also knew the title Son of Man. After all, the son of man appears in the Old Covenant, the Tanach, with at least two connotations.

First, God addressed the prophet, Ezekiel, throughout his writings, as the son of man, a frail mortal, yet one God chose to deliver a stern message to His people.

Second, Daniel’s vision in Daniel 7 puts a completely different slant on the title “son of man.” Far from its flavour of frail humanity, Son of Man elevates a specific human, the Son of Man, to a position of unique authority, none other than God’s Messiah, and Nicodemus would have understood this.

‭Daniel 7:13-14 NLT‬
[13] “As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. [14] He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.”

“Lifted up” would also have been a familiar practice in Nicodemus’ religious system. Part of the ritual of the first-fruits offering, the “terumah “, the first portion of the harvest, was to “lift it up” to God as an offering to Him, signifying the promise of what was yet to come.

Jesus was obviously using the symbol of the serpent “lifted up”, not as a reference to the serpent’s nature but as a symbol of healing for those who looked at the snake after being bitten by a fiery serpent.

The Greek word, hupsos, translated “lifted up” has the connotation of being elevated or exalted. It means more than the simple act of lifting up. It carries the idea that the terumah offering was an exalted offering to God.

‭Leviticus 23:10 NLT‬
[10] “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. When you enter the land I am giving you and you harvest its first crops, bring the priest a bundle of grain from the first cutting of your grain harvest….
[20] “The priest will lift up the two lambs as a special offering to the Lord, together with the loaves representing the first of your crops. These offerings, which are holy to the Lord, belong to the priests.

The concept behind “lifting up”, also translated “wave offering” or “heave offering”, was an offering dedicated to the Lord and honouring to Him.

‭Proverbs 3:9 NIV‬
[9] “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;”

So, in those two words, was Jesus referring to the spiritual counterpart to the serpent incident in Israel’s history? In God’s economy, nothing happens without meaning. Israel’s sin, which allowed the serpents to bring God’s judgment, led to a solution that became a picture of His salvation from sin.

‭John 3:14-15 NLT‬
[14] And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, [15] so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.

Now let’s look at Jesus’ words to Nicodemus again. Nicodemus’ question to Jesus was…

John 3:9 NLT‬
[9] “How are these things possible?”…

Born again?
Born from above?
Born of the Spirit?

Jesus’ response…

“You have to look in faith at the Son of Man, God’s Messiah, who will be lifted up on a pole as a “terumah offering,” that honours God and guarantees the complete harvest.”

Now let’s see how the Apostle Paul completes the picture.

‭1 Corinthians 15:20-23 NIV‬
[20]”But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. [21] For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. [22] For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. [23] But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.”

What an amazing revelation of God’s rescue plan!

A snake on a pole tells the story in a nutshell. A man, lifted up to die on a torture stake, but so much more! God’s Messiah, put to death on the cross as an atoning sacrifice for sin, becomes an acceptable sacrifice, and the firstfruits of the resurrection.

All who gaze at Him in faith are miraculously delivered from judgment and death, transferred out of Satan’s domain into the kingdom of God, and transformed inside, all by the power of God’s Spirit.

All who believe will be included in the harvest of the resurrection, of which Jesus was the “terumah” offering, the firstfruits which guarantees the full harvest.

‭John 12:24 NLT‬
[24] “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives.
[32] And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” [33] He said this to indicate how he was going to die.”

I wonder whether Nicodemus “got it”.

IGNORANCE IS NO EXCUSE

Bible Study, ,

Leviticus 5:17 NLT‬
[17] “Suppose you sin by violating one of the Lord’s commands. Even if you are unaware of what you have done, you are guilty and will be punished for your sin.”

God based His instructions squarely on the truth that all mankind is born with His moral law written into their conscience.

‭Romans 2:14-15 NLT‬
[14] “Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. [15] They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.”

Together with conscience, God has given another equally powerful witness to His divine nature and power which He said, leaves people without excuse. Both Old and New Testaments declare the testimony of creation.

‭Psalms 19:1-4 NLT‬
[1]” The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. [2] Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. [3] They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. [4] Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.”

‭Romans 1:18-20 NLT‬
[18]”But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. [19] They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. [20] For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”

There is severe judgment for those who ignore or deny God’s authority and live as though He doesn’t exist. However, He will reveal Himself to everyone who recognises His signature in nature and seeks after Him with an honest and humble heart.

‭Acts of the Apostles 17:22-28 NLT‬
[22] “So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, [23] for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about. [24] “He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, [25] and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need. [26] From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries. [27] “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. [28] For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’…
[30] “God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. [31] For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.”

‭Jeremiah 29:12-13 NLT‬
[12] “In those days when you pray, I will listen. [13] If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”

God opened His promise to Israel to the whole world through Jesus.

‭Isaiah 55:3-7 NLT‬
[3] “Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David. [4] See how I used him to display my power among the peoples. I made him a leader among the nations. [5] You also will command nations you do not know, and peoples unknown to you will come running to obey, because I, the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, have made you glorious.” [6] Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. [7] Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.”

God’s provision for the forgiveness of sin is for the whole world but only for those who acknowledge their sin and turn to the Lord in repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus.

‭1 John 2:1-2 NLT‬
[1]”My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. [2] He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.”

‭Hebrews 11:6 NLT‬
[6] And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

But…

God’s word is clear. We cannot hide behind the foolish excuse of ignorance. We have the witness of creation and conscience to guide us towards the truth. If we continue in stubborn disobedience, we have only ourselves to blame when we end up in eternal separation from God.

THE BEST WINE… 6

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John 2:1 NLT‬
[1] The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there,
[3] The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.”….
[7] Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, [8] he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions.
[9] When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. [10] “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!” [11] This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him.”

Since Jesus always and only did what the Father told Him to do, this incident was a divine appointment for a divine purpose. “It was ‘a sign’ “, John wrote, “to reveal something significant.”

Aside from its negative connotations of addiction and intoxication, wine has something important to reveal to us about the “new wine” of the Spirit that Jesus came to give us.

What does wine, in moderation, do for us?

‭Psalms 104:14-15 NLT‬
[14] “You cause grass to grow for the livestock and plants for people to use. You allow them to produce food from the earth— [15] wine to make them glad, olive oil to soothe their skin, and bread to give them strength.”

Wine can dull emotional pain and change the mood for a little while. I wonder why drinking alcohol is called “happy hour”!

‭Proverbs 31:6 NLT‬
[6] “Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress.”

‭Luke 10:33-34 NLT‬
[33] “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. [34] Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. “

Wine can sterilise and heal bleeding wounds. How often people with wounded hearts turn to wine to soothe the pain and try to heal the wounds!

‭1 Timothy 5:23 NLT‬
[23]”Don’t drink only water. You ought to drink a little wine for the sake of your stomach because you are sick so often.”

The Apostle Paul even advised Timothy to drink a little wine in place of water for a stomach ailment. Did Timothy suffer from chronic diarrhoea from drinking contaminated water?

As much as wine can teach us a little about the new life in the Spirit that He came to bring us, Jesus was not advocating that we all become wine-bibbers! On the contrary, the Bible warns against drinking too much wine.

‭Proverbs 23:31-35 NLT‬
[31] Don’t gaze at the wine, seeing how red it is, how it sparkles in the cup, how smoothly it goes down. [32] For in the end it bites like a poisonous snake; it stings like a viper. [33] You will see hallucinations, and you will say crazy things. [34] You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea, clinging to a swaying mast. [35] And you will say, “They hit me, but I didn’t feel it. I didn’t even know it when they beat me up. When will I wake up so I can look for another drink?”

Ephesians 5:18a NLT‬
[18]”Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life…”

On the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit fell on the disciples with supernatural manifestations, some in the watching crowd accused them of being drunk. Peter negated their accusation with these words,…

‭Acts of the Apostles 2:14-18 NLT‬
[14] “Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. [15] These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that. [16] No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel: [17] ‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. [18] In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike— and they will prophesy.”

Isaiah 55:1 NLT‬
[1] “Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink— even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk— it’s all free!”

The New Wine had been poured out at last. God’s many promises fulfilled, the coming of the Holy Spirit upon His people meant so many things to those who drank this new wine.

Jesus promised, as the high priest poured water on the dusty ground, that spiritually thirsty people could come to Him to drink. He would give them the new wine (sometimes “living water”) of the Holy Spirit who would satisfy their thirst forever.

‭John 7:37-39 NLT‬
[37] “On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! [38] Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” [39] (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)”

‭The New Wine is still available to all who are thirsty for the truth. This “wine” has never stopped flowing and never will. More abundant than the wine Jesus provided at the wedding in Cana, the wine of the Holy Spirit is given freely to all, Jew and Gentile alike, who come to Jesus in faith and obedience to drink of His Spirit.

‭1 Corinthians 12:13 NIV‬
[13] For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. “

THE LADDER… 5

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John 1:51 NLT‬
[51] “Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.”

Jesus said some startling things about Himself that puzzle us until we examine the Scriptures.

Let’s start at the beginning.

On his flight from his brother’s wrath, Jacob had a dream. He saw a ladder stretching between heaven and earth. Heavenly beings were ascending and descending the ladder and God Himself was at the top, speaking to Jacob.

‭Genesis 28:10-13 NLT‬
[10] “Meanwhile, Jacob left Beersheba and traveled toward Haran. [11] At sundown he arrived at a good place to set up camp and stopped there for the night. Jacob found a stone to rest his head against and lay down to sleep. [12] As he slept, he dreamed of a stairway that reached from the earth up to heaven. And he saw the angels of God going up and down the stairway. [13] At the top of the stairway stood the Lord, and he said, “I am the Lord, the God of your grandfather Abraham, and the God of your father, Isaac. The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I am giving it to you and your descendants.”

What God promised Jacob formed part of Israel’s long history that took them right to this point where Jesus described Himself as the link between heaven and earth. What Jacob saw as a ladder was a symbol of Jesus, the way to the Father, bringing heaven and earth into direct contact.

Jesus’ three-and-a-half years with His disciples would gradually explain and unfold this plan to them.

At His trial before the Sanhedrin, the high priest, Caiaphas, was incensed because Jesus claimed the title “Son of Man”, the title He used to describe Himself as the stairway between heaven and earth.

‭Mark 14:61-62 NLT‬
[61] “But Jesus was silent and made no reply. Then the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” [62] Jesus said, “I Am. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

God’s great plan of salvation centred on this grand finale.

‭Revelation 21:1-7 NLT‬
[1] “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. [2] And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. [3] I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. [4] He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

[5] And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” [6] And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. [7] All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.”

This is the climax and conclusion of all God’s dealings with people from the beginning. His plan was to have a family of people, replicas of His Son, who would be with Him forever, ruling and reigning with Him on earth. Heaven and earth would merge to be the eternal home of God and His people.

Sin’s interruption of the plan was no deterrent to the Trinity. It gave opportunity for God to reveal His mercy to undeserving sinners and His grace to take them through a dangerous and hostile world to His home in heaven. There they would await the day when the Son will set up His kingdom on earth and take His rightful place as Lord of all.

The Son of Man is the ladder that joins heaven and earth to make them one and to fulfil God’s design to live with His people forever.

‭Revelation 21:2-3 NIV‬
[2] I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. [3] “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.”