The Valley
At the beginning of chapter six we are on a figurative mountain peak. The people are on a spiritual high. Jesus was in rare form while preaching throughout the day, then had fun with them and the disciples by multiplying three loaves and fish to feed thousands. The people ate until they were full, a rare occasion indeed, and everyone felt closer to the Messiah. Little did they know that their next few steps with Jesus would take them into the valley. The trip was so quick no one saw the darkness closing in, the space between them shrinking and tempers shortening.
Bread of Life
The feeding of the five thousand is one of the most famous passages of the Bible, and for good reason. Beside the miracle of the resurrection itself, it is the only miracle of the Messiah that is recorded in all four gospel accounts. Most are familiar with the story itself, but do we understand it's importance? Are we familiar with Jesus' explanation of its significance? The story is told in John 6.1-15, including the fact that after the meal Jesus slipped away so that the people would not try to make him king of Israel. His ambition was something else.
The Bethesda Pool Incident
Once again Jesus treks to Jerusalem for a feast, probably the feast of Pentecost. There are three feasts each year on the Jewish calendar that require being in Jerusalem: Passover (which is the the last festival where Jesus overturned the money changers tables), Pentecost and, later in the year, Tabernacles. Pentecost occurs 49 days after Passover, so we know that five weeks have passed since he was last in the Holy City. Jerusalem had eight gates entering the city, and near one of these gates (the Sheep Gate) is a pool with supposed miraculous powers. The Pool of Bethesda.
Two Conversations
It's an interesting parenthetical comment the apostle John leaves us at the beginning of chapter four. He says that Jesus did not baptize people, only his disciples did. Which may be true on this one occasion, but it isn't true always. John 3.22 states "Jesus and his disciples came into Judean territory, and there he spent time with them and was baptizing." At this time many came to follow Jesus. In chapter four, there are already a great number who are following Jesus which caught the attention of more than Nicodemus, but the other Pharisees too. So Jesus decided to move on.
Walking on Water
Last week we spent some time examining Jesus' second greatest miracle, the feeding of the 5,000. In doing so, we covered John chapter six verses one through 15, and 22-65, but left out the very important passage of Jesus walking on the water. After the miracle which multiplied the fish and the loaves to feed thousands of people, Jesus told the disciples to take a boat to Capernaum. While they rowed, Jesus decided to walk it, just not in the usual manner. John leaves an awful lot of this story on the cutting room floor, but adds a fascinating aspect to the miracle.
Pharisees on Trial
After giving the Pharisees a theology lesson, he takes them to court. Not literally, of course, but he uses the language of a trial — "testimony" and "deeds" and "accuse" — to make the case that he is indeed the Messiah. The first line of today's passage, however, is both surprising and confusing. Jesus states, "If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true." What did Jesus mean and why is his word not enough? I think the answer is in the law, and the two courts in which a person can be judged.
Testimony, Belief and Action
The end of chapter four is another story of faith, but one that differs greatly from the others we've encountered thus far. We've seen a man looking for faith, and a woman and foreign people embracing faith. Here we have a man who exhibits a developed faith. The story appears simple enough by itself, and it is, but there is more to be understood when we look at the greater context. This wider look at the story will answer questions like, where did the Roman official gain such faith in Jesus? Before we get started, read the story in John 4.46-54.
Belief, Birth and Belonging
Yesterday we discovered John's intention in telling us the story about Jesus and Nicodemus, today we'll have a look at this short but powerful discussion. To set the stage, Nicodemus comes to Jesus in the night in order to avoid being seen and to satisfy his curiosity about the true identity of this new Rabbi. He has been witness to several of Jesus' miracles and heard of still more. Could this be the long awaited Messiah? Or is he simply a more convincing con man? He had to know, but feared the ridicule he would suffer from his fellow councilmen should they find out.
Independence Day Special
While I would never desire to alienate our readers around the globe, today is a distinctly American holiday. July 4th is the day we celebrate our independence. Independence from oppressive taxes, from unjust political rulers, from being a vasal of the British Empire. I thought a lot about writing of the spirituality and miracles surrounding General George Washington, one of the men responsible for our independence and America's first President, but I think I'll save that for Laobr day. Today is a holiday in my homeland, and as such a time to be spent with friends and family.
Jesus' Theology
In Act 3 of a three act story Jesus confronts the Pharisees for healing a crippled man on the Sabbath. Behind the healing is Jesus' command that the man pick up his mat and walk, an act that was not permitted on the holy day. The Pharisees were less concerned with Jesus' act of healing (something that should have signaled them that he was the Messiah) and were more exercised with his instruction which violated their own law. Jesus answers their objections with a theology lesson chock full of "solemn truth". We pick the story up in chapter five verse 16.
The Prophet Principle
John has shown his ability to be a great author. The way he weaves the conversation with Nicodemus is masterful. His juxtaposition of the conversation with Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman provokes thoughtful contemplation. So it's curious that we find an apparent contradiction, or a narrative that requires more explanation at the very least. After two days in Samaria, Jesus went on to Galilee where he apparently received a warm welcome, not only from friends but from those who saw the miracles he performed in Jerusalem. So why does Jesus say "a prophet has no honor in his own country"?
Believe the Testimony
John chapter three begins with a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. John tells us that Nicodemus was a member of the Jewish ruling council, and Jesus refers to him as "the teacher of Israel." We know that he was a leading Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin. There are a few things we can learn about Nicodemus immediately. First, he is not trying to trap Jesus as other Pharisees tried to do, for he came to Jesus at night, alone, for a one-on-one conversation. Second, he didn't have the courage to let his fellow councilmen know he thought Jesus might be the Messiah.