Obedience, Faith, and Abundance in the Miracle

Posted by Yong Joo Park on 15 August 2022 in John | ∞

John 2:6-9a

⁶Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from eighty to a hundred and twenty litres.

⁷Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’; so they filled them to the brim.

⁸Then he told them, ‘Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.’

They did so, ⁹and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine.

Jesus involved the servants in His miracle (7, 8). That is, Jesus uses our obedience and faith. After their obedience was complete, Jesus did what only God could do (changing the water to wine) (9). Six jars, each holding 80~120L (6) and filling them to the brim (7) show the abundance.

Jesus used our five loaves and two fish to feed five thousand (John 6:1-15) even though He could feed them without anything from us. The abundance in this miracle is shown in the fact that they received as much as they wanted (John 6:11) and the disciples gathered and filled twelve baskets with pieces of the five barley loaves left over (John 6:13).

They had to take away the stone of the tomb by faith before Jesus raised the four-day dead Lazarus (John 11:38-44).

Jesus who works in God’s Authority and Timing

Posted by Yong Joo Park on 8 August 2022 in John | ∞

John 2:1-5

¹ On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, ²and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. ³When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, ‘They have no more wine.’

⁴‘Woman, why do you involve me?’ Jesus replied. ‘My hour has not yet come.’

⁵His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’

The wine is important during the wedding banquet, but it was gone (3a). Jesus’ mother brought this issue to Jesus, saying ‘They have no more wine.’ (3b).

What was the response of Jesus? See v4.

‘Woman, why do you involve me?’ Jesus replied. ‘My hour has not yet come.’

Jesus called His mother not ‘mother’ but ‘woman’. Jesus would work based not on the human suggestion (e.g., mother’s suggestion), authority (e.g., the authority of the mother), or timing but on God’s authority and timing only. When Jesus works by God’s authority and timing, absolute obedience is required (5) (e.g., ‘Do whatever he tells you.’).

Jesus, the House of God, the Gate of Heaven

Posted by Yong Joo Park on 31 July 2022 in 2 Corinthians, Genesis, John | ∞

John 1:47–51 (NIVUK)

47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, ‘Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.’
48 ‘How do you know me?’ Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, ‘I saw you while you were still under the fig-tree before Philip called you.’
49 Then Nathanael declared, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.’
50 Jesus said, ‘You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig-tree. You will see greater things than that.’ 51 He then added, ‘Very truly I tell you, you will see “heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on” the Son of Man.’

Ever since Philip said to Nathanael, ‘Come and see’ (46), a great Bible Study session for Nathanael began in v47 ~ 51. Nathanael possibly was reading Jacob’s story in Genesis such as Genesis 27 ~ 32 when he was under the fig tree (48).

I. Israel is no longer Jacob but a new creation (47)

What Jesus said in v47 taught Nathanael that Israel was no longer deceptive Jacob and became a new person with no deceit, which would indicate that Jacob experienced ‘spiritual rebirth’ (cf. John 3:3-9, 2 Corinthians 5:17) just before he was renamed Israel (Genesis 32:28).

II. Jesus is the House of God and the Gate of Heaven (48-51)

Further, Jesus taught Nathanael in v51 that Jesus was the House of God (Bethel). After Jacob dreamed about the angels of God ascending and descending on the earth, he called the place ‘Bethel’ meaning the House of God (Genesis 28:10-19). In v51, Jesus told Nathanael about the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man. This explains Jacob’s dream. That is, Jesus is the House of God (Bethel) and the Gate of Heaven (Genesis 28:17), on which the angels of God are ascending and descending.

God who sees me

Posted by Yong Joo Park on 3 July 2022 in Genesis, John | ∞

John 1:48 (NIVUK)

‘How do you know me?’ Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, ‘I saw you while you were still under the fig-tree before Philip called you.’

Nathanael asked, ‘How do you know me?’ (48a) Nathanael never expected someone was watching over him so close at all times. But God was. So was the Son of God.

The answer of Jesus in v48b indicates that Jesus saw Nathanael before he came to see Jesus. When Nathanael heard this answer from Jesus was the moment that Nathanael would realise that God loved him and looked after him always.

It was the Jewish custom of rabbis to study the Law under a vine, fig tree, or olive tree [1]. Nathanael might be studying the Law under fig-tree before Philip called him (48b). Nathanael might be reading the story of Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel (Genesis 25:19 – Genesis 34:1-32).

As Jesus said, “The Father seeks the true worshippers, who worship the Father in the Spirit and truth.” (John 4:23, A relevant message), God will find and see us whether we may be studying the Holy Bible under a fig tree, at home or at church as He did Nathanael.

Hagar was mistreated but helped by the angel of God and confessed, ‘You are the God who sees me’ in Genesis 16:13.

References
[1] Bircher, Gerald L. The New American Commentary: John 1-11.

A True Israelite

Posted by Yong Joo Park on 26 June 2022 in Genesis, John | ∞

John 1:47

When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, ‘Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.’

Nathanael means ‘gift of God’. Israel means ‘one who prevails with God’. The original name of Israel was Jacob. Jacob means ‘Supplanter’. ‘deceit’ (47) reminds us of Jacob who deceived his father Isaac, and brother Esau (Genesis 27:1-45), and manipulated his uncle Laban (Genesis 30:31-43, Genesis 31:1-55). Jacob wrestled with an angel of God (Genesis 32:24-30). Hosea 12:4 shows Jacob’s spiritual struggle (wrestle). After Jacob won the wrestle, the angel gave Jacob the new name ‘Israel’ (Genesis 32:28) and blessed him (Genesis 32:29), which became the name of the country. The change of a person’s name means the change of the characteristics and the ability of the person. Jesus recognised Nathanael as a true Israelite in whom there was no deceit (47).

Come and See

Posted by Yong Joo Park on 19 June 2022 in Ecclesiastes, John, Mark, Matthew | ∞

John 1:44-46

44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’
46 ‘Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?’ Nathanael asked.
‘Come and see,’ said Philip.

I. We have found (44-45)

Philip told Nathanael, ‘We have found…’ (45) as Andrew said ‘We have found…’ in v41. They didn’t say, ‘I have found…’. ‘We’ include two disciples of Baptist John, Simon, and Philip. Including Baptist John, ‘we’ are five people. ‘We’ would impress Nathanael more than if Philip had said, ‘I have found…’ [3].

Let’s study what the Bible says about why two or three are better than one.

Ecclesiastes 4:9a says

Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labour:

It is because they can help each other up (Ecclesiastes 4:10) and keep warm (Ecclesiastes 4:11).

Again Ecclesiastes 4:12 says,

Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Jesus sent his disciples out on mission trips two by two (Mark 6:7). Where two or three gather in Jesus’ name, there is Jesus with them (Matthew 18:20).

II. Come and see (46)

Nathanael expressed his doubt due to Nazareth (46a). Nazareth was in Galilee and the Messiah or a prophet was not expected from Galilee (John 7:41, John 7:52).

Without wasting time arguing the point, Philip took Nathanael to Jesus directly [1] by saying, “Come and see.” (46b)

Come and see (46) is an echo of what Jesus said (‘Come and you will see.’ (John 1:39)) [2]. Replying by ‘Come and see’ is the best remedy against preconceived opinions [Bengel].

In Jesus was life and that life was the light of all mankind (John 1:4, TikTok Video). ‘life’ in Jesus means that we can experience God in Jesus and our relationship with God is restored in Jesus. Therefore, come to the true light, Jesus. And you will see His glory (John 1:14), you will experience God and your relationship with God will be restored.

References
[1] Gangel, Kenneth O. Holman New Testament Commentary.
[2] Lange, John Peter; Schaff, Philip. A Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: John.
[3] Lenski, R. C. H. The Interpretation of St. John’s Gospel.

Follow Me

Posted by Yong Joo Park on 13 June 2022 in Isaiah, John, Luke, Matthew, Revelation | ∞

John 1:43

43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, ‘Follow me.’

I. Leaving Judea to Galilee (43a)

‘The next day’ was used in John 1:29, John 1:35, and v43. The four consecutive days began with John 1:19 [3], the place of which was Bethany in Judea on the other side of the Jordan.
According to Matthew 4:12, Jesus withdrew from Judea to Galilee when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison. Leaving Nazareth in Lower Galilee, Jesus went and lived in Capernaum in Upper Galilee which was by the Lake of Gennesaret AKA the Sea of Galilee in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali (Matthew 4:13). This fulfilled Isaiah 9:1-2.

A subsequent event in Galilee (43a) is written in Luke 5 and Matthew 4:18-20 [1].

II. Follow me (43b)

Jesus found Philip and called him by saying ‘Follow me.’ (43b). Matthew was also called by ‘follow me’ in Matthew 9:9 and Luke 5:27. ‘Follow me’ is a call neither merely to join the journeying company [Alford] nor to the Apostolic office [2]. It is the calling to discipleship.

Let us read the verses [2] related to discipleship.

Deny oneself and take up one’s cross
Matthew 16:24 (NIVUK): Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. A relevant message: https://comnc.org/discipleship-taking-up-ones-cross/

Walk in the light
John 8:12 (NIVUK): When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’ #What is the light?: TikTok Video

Serve Jesus
John 12:26 (NIVUK): Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me.

Partake in His cross and His crown
John 21:19 (NIVUK): Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, ‘Follow me!’

Not Proverbs 5:20 but Proverbs 5:15-19
Revelation 14:4 (NIVUK): These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb.

References
[1] Brown, David et al. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible.
[2] Lange, John Peter; Schaff, Philip. A Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: John.
[3] Lenski, R. C. H. The Interpretation of St. John’s Gospel.

Andrew brought to the Messiah Simon Peter on whom the church will be built

Posted by Yong Joo Park on 6 June 2022 in Exodus, Genesis, Isaiah, John, Matthew | ∞

John 1:40–42 (NIVUK)

40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.
Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas’ (which, when translated, is Peter).

I. Andrew recognised Jesus as the Messiah (40-41)
Andrew was one of two disciples of the Baptist John, who followed Jesus in v37. They called Jesus ‘Rabbi’ in v38, which means ‘Teacher’. In v41, Andrew calls Jesus ‘the Messiah’ that is ‘the Christ’ in Greek. The Messiah means literally ‘the Anointed One’, and is ‘the Saviour’. Jesus promised in v39, “you will see”. They not only saw where He was staying but also recognised Him as the Messiah.

II. Andrew brought Simon Peter to the Messiah (41-42)
First, Andrew brought his brother Simon to Jesus (41-42). Simon followed Andrew to come to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and identified him(42a). Jesus gave him the vision for a new name, ‘Cephas’ (42b). ‘Cephas’ is ‘Peter’ in Greek and means ‘Rock’. That is, Jesus knew (Exodus 33:12) him, and called him by name (John 10:3, Isaiah 43:1, Isaiah 45:3-4). ‘Calling by name’ in Isaiah 43:1 means God’s special choice of Israel [1]. Note that God also changed Abram to Abraham (Genesis 17:5), Sarai to Sarah (Genesis 17:15), and Jacob to Israel (Genesis 32:28).

III. On this rock, I will build my church (Matthew 16:18)
Simon was given the name Peter in Matthew 16:18. Let us read Matthew 16:15-20 which includes the context.

15 ‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’
16 Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’
17 Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’ 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

After Simon confessed his faith (Matthew 16:16), Jesus called him Peter (Rock), on that He would build His church (Matthew 16:18).

References
[1] Barry, John D. et al. Faithlife Study Bible.

Come, and you will see

Posted by Yong Joo Park on 29 May 2022 in John, Luke, Matthew | ∞

John 1:35-39

I. Look, the Lamb of God! (35-37)

When the Baptist John said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God!’ twice over the two days (John 1:29, John 1:36), two of his disciples followed Jesus (37). Here, we can learn that leading other(s) to Jesus could take more than one attempt.

II. Come, and you will see (38-39)

Jesus turned around, saw them following, and asked ‘What do you want?’ (38a) Jesus was not indifferent even when they were behind Him, but turned around to respond to their following. Jesus didn’t wait for them to ask Him what they want but initiated the communication by asking ‘What do you want?’ Here we see ‘God who seeks us’ in Jesus. God came to be with us through Jesus without waiting for us to come to Him (Matthew 1:23). God seeks true worshippers regardless of where they worship (John 4:23). God seeks one lost sheep leaving ninety-nine behind (Matthew 18:12).

Jesus is the King (Matthew 2:2). But Jesus didn’t hide in a palace. He didn’t guard against their approaches. Instead, Jesus helped them get what they want most by asking ‘What do you want?’.

They answered, ‘Rabbi, where are you staying?’(38b) They thought they needed to know where Jesus was staying to secure their opportunity to follow Him.

Jesus replied, ‘Come and you will see.’ (39a) Jesus was so welcoming them as if He was waiting (Luke 15:20).

‘Come’ – Jesus instantly invited them.
‘and you will see.’ – Jesus gave them a promise to see.
- They went and saw where he was staying (39b).
- They saw His glory according to John 1:14.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

They spent that day with Jesus till about 4 p.m. (39c)

References
Lenski, R. C. H. The Interpretation of St. John’s Gospel.