Jesus – the Resurrection and the Life

John 11:1-43

Lazarus in Bethany was ill (1). This illness was for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it (4).  Jesus stayed where he was two more days (6). After Lazarus was dead (14), Jesus departed to Bethany (16).

When Jesus arrived, Lazarus had already been in the tomb for 4 days (17). Lazarus’s sister Martha said to Jesus.

“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” (21, 22)

Jesus said to her,

“Your brother will rise again.” (23)

Martha answered,

“I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” (24)

See v25-26.

²⁵ Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; ²⁶ and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’

Jesus didn’t say “I raise the dead and give life.” But He said “I am the resurrection and the life.”

They all are actually and literally embodied in Jesus [1]. When he is absent, resurrection and life are absent; when he is present, resurrection and life are present [1].

Jesus is the Resurrection (25^b)

“The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;” (25^b) explains why Jesus is the resurrection. Here, ‘will live’ means ‘will experience resurrection’. ‘even though they die’ means physical death. Believers will die sometimes physically. What Happens to Believers When They Die?

The spirit and soul, which are eternal, are united with Christ at the moment of the believer’s death (2 Corinthians 5:8). The body of the believer, which is mortal flesh, perishes, or “sleeps” until the day it is transformed and reunited to the believer at the final resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:43; Philippians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 15:51) [2]

Jesus is the Life (26^a)

“and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” (26^a) explains why Jesus is the life.

‘will never die’ may be replaced with ‘will live eternally’. Life and death in v26^a are both spiritual[3]. 26^a means “Whoever is spiritually alive by believing in me and lives by faith in me will never die spiritually.”

What is response of Martha? Martha confessed her faith in v27.

²⁷ “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

This confession of faith was also made by Peter. See Matthew 16:15-16.

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.’

What Martha or Peter confessed was revealed not by flesh and blood but by the Father in heaven (Matthew 16:17). John 6:45 also says

⁴⁵ It is written in the Prophets: “They will all be taught by God.” Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me.

Now they went to the tomb, which was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance (38). Jesus asked them to take away the stone (39^a). To this, Martha answered in v39^b.

“But, Lord, by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”

In v27, Martha confessed her faith in Jesus as Peter did and most Christians would. But just before the power of Resurrection would be revealed in reality, she showed objection. Even though we have faith, we should take lesson from Martha so that we may not disobey when the miracle is about to happen.

Jesus said to her in v40.

“Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

After they took away the stone (41^a), Jesus looked up and said,

“Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” (41^b, 42)

When Jesus had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” (43)

What is the result of His command? See v44.

The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.

Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

Let us read key verses v25 and v26.

²⁵ Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; ²⁶ and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’

Praise God for Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life!

I pray that we may be free from any darkness of death and live by faith in Jesus who is the resurrection and the life! Amen.

One Word: Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life

References:

[1] Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The interpretation of St. John’s gospel (p. 800). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House

[2] Fairchild, Mary. What Does the Bible Say About Death, Eternal Life and Heaven? What Happens to Believers When They Die?: http://christianity.about.com/

[3] Newman, B. M., & Nida, E. A. (1993). A handbook on the Gospel of John (p. 367). New York: United Bible Societies.

Seven (7) “I AM” Statements of Jesus

Jesus does not only raise the dead. Jesus said I AM the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25).

They all are actually and literally embodied in Jesus [1]. When he is absent, resurrection and life are absent; when he is present, resurrection and life are present [1].

This animation is based on Seven (7) ‘I AM’ Statements of Jesus written in the Gospel of John.

Reference:
[1] Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The interpretation of St. John’s gospel (p. 800). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House

The Good Shepherd, Jesus

John 10:1-18

1. Jesus – the Gate (1 – 10)

Jesus said the man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep (2). If a man, who climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber (1).

Then, what is the gate that the shepherd enters by? See v7.

⁷Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.

Jesus himself is the gate.  The man who enters by the gate Jesus is one who recognises and believes Jesus and he is the shepherd of his sheep.

Jesus entrusted his sheep to his servants like us. Entering through the sheep gate Jesus, we are able to be a shepherd to his sheep (2). Shepherd should understand their character & ability by calling them by their names and lead them by being an example (3).

See v9 and 10.

⁹I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. ¹⁰The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

“Entering through Jesus” is the condition of salvation both for shepherd & sheep (9).

Jesus is the gate of ‘salvation’ (9^a) and the gate of ‘life in its fullness’ (10^b).

As the conclusion of part 1, let us read v1 and v2.

¹“I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. ²The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep.

2. Jesus – the Good Shepherd (11 – 18)

Jesus is the good shepherd (11, 14). Difference between the good shepherd and hired hand is that the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep (11) but hired hand does not (12).

See v12-13.

“The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.”

Less than 24 hours before Jesus was laying down His life for His sheep, He went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane at night. He was sorrowful and troubled (Matthew 26:37). He said to His disciples Peter, John and James, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” (Matthew 26:38) Then He prayed “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39)

This event shows how much Jesus was overwhelmed with sorrow before the arrest and death. The hired hand abandons the sheep and runs away in this situation. But Jesus loved the sinners like us who were going to be judged and condemned before God. In order to save us, Jesus the good shepherd chose to die for us. So, His sacrifice touches my heart violently. And no one in the world can be compared with Jesus Christ who laid down His life for His sheep.

David sang the Lord being my shepherd in Psalm 23 as below:

¹ The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
² He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
³ he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
⁴ Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

See v16.

¹⁶ I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

Here this sheep pen means Jews. Other sheep that are not of this sheep pen is the Gentiles. He doesn’t say He will have them but He has them already. He must bring them also. They too will listen to His voice. Believing Jews and Gentiles will make up one flock under one shepherd.

See v17-18.

¹⁷ The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

I lay down my life-only to take it up again foretells His resurrection after His death (17).

Also, as shown in v18, His life is not taken from Him by anyone but He lay it down by His choice and His authority.

The night a large crowd armed with swords and clubs came to arrest Jesus, Jesus said,

⁵³ Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? ⁵⁴ But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” (Matthew 26:53, 54)

Jesus had power to escape from the arrest. Jesus was laying down His life by His own choice.

As prophet Isaiah prophesized in Isaiah 53,

⁵ But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.

Jesus is our Saviour who took our sins away. He is the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep.

Finally I want to remind us of the abundant life in the Good shepherd Jesus Christ by quoting following verses from the Holy Bible:

Romans 8:32 says

³² He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

John 10:10

¹⁰The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

3 John 1:2

² Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.

Sheep is a stubborn, short-sighted, unintelligent, weak, and vulnerable animal. Without shepherd, sheep is lost and virtually dead. Without our Saviour, Jesus Christ, we are like “sheep without shepherd”.

Thank you for being our shepherd, providing us life & life in its fullness. We commit our lives in your care by faith and follow you to the green pastures and quiet waters. Lead us today and every day. Amen.

Jesus who said “Neither do I condemn you”

John 8:1-11

Jesus went to the Mount of Olives (1).  Jesus started to teach at dawn (2).

The scripture does not tell us why Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. In Matthew 8:20, Jesus said, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” We can know he didn’t have a comfortable place for rest.  Also, v2 shows that He stayed there overnight. We can guess it was for prayer. The prayer might include the prayer to save the woman in this chapter.

The teachers of the law and Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery (3). And they asked Jesus, “In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” (5).

V6^a says that they were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

The motive and intention of people who brought the woman caught in adultery were wrong and they were misusing the Law to trap the Son of God.

If Jesus would ask them to stone her, it would be contradictory to his teaching of love and forgiveness.  But if Jesus would ask them not to stone her, it would be contradictory to the Law.

What was the response of Jesus? As shown in v6^b, Jesus started to write something on the ground with his finger (6^b).

Exodus 31:18 says it was the finger of God that inscribed the covenant law in the tablets of stone that was given to Moses. By writing on the ground with his finger, Jesus showed Jesus Himself was the Lawgiver.

The Law was given to teach us “we are sinners.”(Romans 3:20) All humans are condemned when they stand before the Law.

Here, the scripture didn’t mention what words Jesus wrote on the ground. But we can guess that He might write the names of the sin like as below.

¹⁹For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. (Matthew 15:19)

¹⁹The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. (Galatians 5:19-21a)

What He wrote might make people find themselves guilty.

Then Jesus answers their question. See v7b.

“If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”

Jesus didn’t say “Do not throw a stone at her”, which would be contradictory to the Law.

Instead, Jesus asked them to throw a stone at her with a condition.

The condition is “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”

They thought the Law condemns only this woman but what Jesus said revealed the Law condemns everyone in the scene.

After answering as above, again Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground (8). This 2^nd time writing on the ground is relevant to the new stone tablets written by God (Exodus 34:1) which was placed in the ark with the atonement cover over it (Exodus 40:20). This implies that the shed blood of an innocent substitute should come between the law and those it condemned [1].

What is the response of people? See v9^a.

At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time (9^a).

None of them was without sin. Only person without sin is Jesus. Only Jesus can judge her. So they had to leave the judgment to Jesus and walk away from the scene.

‘One at a time’ implies that the Spirit of God reminded each person of his/her sin individually. Each person remembered his/her own sin. Each person dropped the stone he/she was holding. We can know that when we stand before God, we find ourselves sinners and no one can judge others.

Now everyone left the scene and only Jesus was left (9^b). Only Jesus is without sin.

What did Jesus ask the woman? See v10^b.

“Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

By asking these questions,

• Jesus shamed them [2]. They were guiltier than this woman because they tried to trap the Son of God.
• Jesus encouraged her [2] who might be trembling in fear and shame.

What is the answer of the woman? See v11^a.

 ¹¹“No one, sir,” she said.

The woman recognizes that no one threw a stone at her and no one was left to do so except Jesus.

What did Jesus declare? See v11^b.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared.

By saying this, Jesus is saying that even though I am without sin

• I also do not throw the first stone at you (discharge from temporal punishment [2]).
• I do forgive your sins (discharge from eternal punishment [2]).

Here, the only person who can judge her forgives her. Instead of judging her, Jesus decided to pass the penalty she deserved to Himself on the cross. This is a powerful moment of grace that transforms a sinner like her to live a new life – the 2^nd chance.

Finally, Jesus gave her the direction. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (v11^c).

The reason Jesus didn’t condemn her was not because the sin could be treated lightly but because Jesus wanted her to repent and live a new life by His grace.

It is easy for us to hide in the group of sinners and to throw stones of judgment to others. But we have to realize that we are sinners same to those toward whom we throw our stones of judgment. Jesus is without sin. But he forgave our sins. He shed his precious blood on the cross to redeem sinners.

“Neither do I condemn you,

go now and leave your life of sin.”

Thank you, Jesus for forgiving us and giving the 2^nd chance of new life by your grace to take our place of punishment. Your love touches us deeply at heart. Let us be obedient children of God. Let your name glorified, your kingdom come, and your will be done.

References

[1] Pink, A. W. (1923–1945). Exposition of the Gospel of John (p. 423). Swengel, PA: Bible Truth Depot.

[2] Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (pp. 1965–1966). Peabody: Hendrickson.

Jesus, the Light of the World

John 9:1-12

See v1.

¹As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.

There are many types of handicaps – lame, deaf, blindness, and others. A lame man is miserable because he cannot climb rocky mountains. A deaf man is miserable because they cannot hear birds’ singing. But a blind man is more miserable because he cannot see the wonderful nature God created. Moreover, this blind man Jesus saw was born blind. This means he could never see anything since his birth. So he couldn’t know how his mother looked like. In addition, he was poor. He was a beggar based on v8. See v2.

²His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

Disciples of Jesus asked Him the cause of the misery. They thought the cause was basically ‘sin’. So they asked Jesus whose sin caused the misery. The thought of disciples was based on retribution, which is the typical way of thinking in many cultures in the world. Retribution is embedded in the consciousness of human beings. The point of view based on retribution makes misery a fate. The person with this point of view would think the miserable man is the sinner who deserves the misery and condemn the miserable person. This will make a miserable person even more miserable. But what was the viewpoint of Jesus? See V3.

³“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.

Jesus’s viewpoint on the misery was ‘The glory of God’. Jesus says the misery was not because of sin, but the misery happened for the glory of God. This means when the miserable person overcomes the misery, that person will glorify God by his victory. The more miserable person can give God more glory through his victory over his misery. While retribution is negative, Jesus’s viewpoint is bright and positive.

Do you have any misery in your life? People might condemn you for the misery, but Jesus is different. He says to you that your misery is for the glory of God. Amen.

See v4 & 5.

 ⁴As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. ⁵While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Now Jesus explains how the misery can be transformed to the glory to God:

This is how: by doing the work of God who sent Jesus (4a). Jesus says we must do the work of God during the day (4a). Without Jesus, it is night (darkness) and no one can work (4b). Jesus declared that He is the light of the world (4b).

In the other words, we must do the work of God while Jesus is with us in the world. And this will transform the miserable people and it will glorify God. See v6 & 7.

⁶Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. ⁷“Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

Now Jesus performs the transformation: Misery to Glory.

First of all, he mixed his saliva and soil to make mud and then paste it on the man’s eyes.

The mud could make him blinder because mud would block sunlight. The mud could cause discomfort as the blindness did to his life. Therefore mud might mean further difficulty during misery. But this further difficulty was just before the healing. So this calls for patience during the misery. For the further difficulty may mean that healing and the glory of God are near.

Are you facing a difficulty that deepening your misery even though you are in Jesus? If you understand the good purpose of God for you, you will thank them. In such a situation, simply obey the command of Jesus.

Secondly, Jesus commanded him to go and wash in the Pool of Siloam. Jesus let him involved in the healing process. Here, we learn that misery2glory requires our involvement during the process. And the blind man obeyed Jesus and healed.

This blind man accepted further difficulty (mud) given by Jesus. And he had trust in Jesus and was obedient to Him even during blindness.  We can learn that Jesus expects us to manage any further difficulty and obey Him during our misery. Be patient and be obedient – until the work of God may be displayed in your life through Jesus. See v8 & 9.

⁸His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” ⁹Some claimed that he was.
Others said, “No, he only looks like him.”
But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”

As a result of obedience, the born blind man opened his eyes. And the result of the obedience surprised others. Now people couldn’t believe their eyes. But he himself insisted that he was the beggar. It is not easy to admit the past. But this man did. It is important to admit the past to glorify God for what you are now. See v10 – 12.

¹⁰“How then were your eyes opened?” they demanded.

¹¹He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.”

¹²“Where is this man?” they asked him.
“I don’t know,” he said.

When people asked him how his eyes were opened, he testified what Jesus did for him. We can learn how we should testify what Jesus did for us.

Hallelujah!

Jesus is the light of the world! In Him, our negative and dark mind can become positive and bright, and misery can become a glory to God!

I pray we all experience this transformation in the light of the world, Jesus.

Also, let us transform people’s lives as well as ours by doing the work of God who sent Jesus.

Jesus, the Bread of Life

John 6:25 – 59

Jesus fed the hungry 5 thousand men plus their women and children in John 6:1 – 15. After this miracle, Jesus walked on the water to join his disciple’s boat in John 6:16 – 24.

The crowd discovered Jesus on the other side of the lake and chased after Him (25). They followed Him eagerly because they ate food that filled their physical hunger (26). What did Jesus teach them? See v27.

27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

Jesus explains about ‘work’ in v29.

29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

Note that ‘belief’ here is not mere theological knowledge but something that leads us to obedience.

But the crowd still looked for physical bread (30-31). So Jesus taught them “the bread from heaven, the true bread, the bread of God” that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world (32-33).

So, the crowd requested this bread (34). What is the answer of Jesus? See v35.

35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

In v37 – 40

• It is the Father who enables them to come to Jesus (37, 44, 45^b, 65)
• Jesus will never drive them away (37)
• They will have eternal life (40)
• They will be raised up at the last day (39, 40)

v41 – 42 shows that the Jews could not understand the spiritual meaning of what Jesus said. They thought not spiritually but physically. So, Jesus explained to them again in v43-51.

Believing Jesus depends on the Father who draws them (44). God teaches them and all who hear and learn from Him will believe Jesus (45). What does Jesus declares, who is from God and the only one who has seen the Father (46)? See v47.

47 Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.

While we are very keen on bread that gives limited life, believing Jesus brings eternal life. So Jesus calls Himself “the bread of life” (48) and “the living bread” (51^a) of heaven and of eternal life (51^b). This bread is the flesh of Jesus (‘my flesh’), which represents love & sacrificial giving on the cross to forgive our sins (51^c).

The Jews still could not understand the word of Jesus, saying ‘my flesh’ (52). They asked “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” (52^b) What is the answer of Jesus? See v53 – 58.

53 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”

This time, Jesus included ‘my blood’ as real drink that gives eternal life.

Now we can conclude that what Jesus means is “When we believe in His love & sacrifice on the cross, we will remain in Him and live eternally due to His forgiveness and blessing”. I pray that whenever you read the Holy Bible, you may experience “eating His flesh and drinking His blood” and so be deeply touched by His Love and clothed with the likeness of the Christ.