Tag Archives: life

John 6:52-71

 

Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever – vs 52-59

The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” He said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.

vs 56 – Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.

This is a hard saying – vs 60-65

When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

vs 63 – It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all.

  • What did Jesus mean by this?
  • Does this shed light on what he meant about feeding on his flesh?

You have the words of eternal life – vs 66-71

After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray him.

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John 6:16-29

Jesus Walks on Water (John 6:16-21)

When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

Parallel accounts of this miracle are found in Matthew 14:22-33 and Mark 6:45-52.  It is not found in the Gospel of Luke (as last week’s notes erroneously stated). John’s account is much briefer than the accounts in Matthew and Mark. However, all three accounts include Jesus’  words of assurance “It is I; do not be afraid“.

  • Why do you think John chose to include this statement in his narrative?
  • Why were they glad to take Jesus into the boat?
  • Do people still need reassurance from Jesus in our day? Do you? Do others?
The crowd goes looking for Jesus (John 6:22-24)

On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.

Matthew and Mark record that after crossing the sea, Jesus and his disciples ministered to many people from the region of Gennesaret who needed healing. However, only John records that Jesus was also followed by a crowd of people who had witnessed the miracle of the loaves.

  • Does this call to mind any Old Testament miracles? (Exodus 16:13-21 ; 2 Kings 4:42-44)
  • If you had seen a miracle like this, would you have gone looking for Jesus?
The food that endures to eternal life (John 6:25-29)

When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

vs 26 – you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves

  • What does Jesus mean by not because you saw signs?
    Does he literally mean that they didn’t see the miracle?
    If he doesn’t mean that, what does he mean?
  • What is the function of a sign?
  • Can you witness an event and miss its significance?

vs 27 – Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life

  • what is the food that perishes?
  • what is the food that endures to eternal life?
  • who is the Son of Man?  Daniel 7:13-14

vs 28 – 29 “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

  • what question were they asking?
  • did Jesus answer their question, point them beyond it, or both?
Reflection
  • What are we seeking?
  • What is Jesus offering?
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John 5:15-29

Fallout from the healing of the crippled man (vs 1-14)

In the first part of this chapter, Jesus heals a man who has been crippled for 38 years. He does this on a Sabbath day. After healing the man he finds him in the Temple and speaks to him of his need for repentance.  Today’s study looks at the fallout from this event.

Jesus is criticized for healing on the Sabbath (vs 15-18)

The man went away and told the Jews [NIV Jewish leaders] that it was Jesus who had healed him. And this was why the Jews [NIV Jewish leaders] were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” This was why the Jews [NIV Jewish leaders] were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

  • The Jewish leaders objected to Jesus healing on the Sabbath because it was contrary to their interpretation of the Torah.
  • Jesus replied that He was doing his Father’s work.
  • The Jewish leaders now had an additional reason to oppose Jesus. Not only did he heal on the Sabbath, he justified it by claiming unique authority as God’s Son.
The Son can do only what he sees the Father doing (vs 19-20)

So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel.

  • Jesus’ defence basically is that he’s doing what his Father told him to do.
  • Jesus says that he can do only what he sees his Father doing.
    He says that His Father loves him and shows Jesus what He (the Father) is doing.
  • This is how Jesus went about his ministry – in complete dependence on the Father. He taught his disciples to do the same (John 10:4-5, John 10:27, John 15:15-16)
The Son has authority to give life and to judge (vs 21-24)

For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

  • The Son acts on the Father’s behalf
  • Anyone who truly honors the Father must also honor the Son
The dead will hear the voice of the Son of God (vs 25-29)

Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

  • The Son of Man (Daniel 7:13-14) is a human figure who appears in the heavenly throne room and is given special authority before God to rule and judge the nations
  • Jesus applied this title to himself (Mark 13:26) when he was on trial before the Chief Priests
  • In this discussion with the Jewish leaders, Jesus claims that he has authority from God to raise the dead, to call them to judgment or give them a free pass (resurrection to life)
To think about

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic that we are currently experiencing, what difference do the following spiritual truths make, if we truly take hold of them –

  1. What difference does it make to you that Jesus really is the rightful governing authority on earth, and one day will overthrow all earthly kingdoms and reign openly on earth?
  2. What difference does it make to you that we can hear Jesus’ voice just as He heard the Father’s voice (John 10:27), that he loves us just as the Father loves the Son, and shows us His plans, just as the Father does with Him?
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John 1:1-14

Verses 1-5 The Word (Logos)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

  • Who is John talking about in these verses? (John 1:14)
  • According to these verses, what is the identity and origin of this Word?
  • John also affirms that this Word became a fully human being in Jesus
    ( John 1:14, 1 John 4:2)

Truth #1 : the Word is both human and divine.

  • What was the Word (who is Jesus) doing in the beginning, at the time of creation?
  • Can anything exist without him? ( John 1:3, Hebrews 1:3)

Truth #2 : the Word was directly involved in creating us and the world, and sustains us and all creation even now.

  • What did Jesus do about the darkness of human life?
  • Can the darkness understand the light? (John 1:5 NKJV)
  • Can the darkness overcome the light? (John 1:5 ESV)
  • How does the light overcome the darkness?

Truth #3: Jesus is the light of the world

Verses 6-8 The Witness

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

  • What was John the Baptist’s perspective on his relationship with Jesus? (John 3:25-30)
  • What can we learn from this?

Verses 9-13 The Light – rejected and received

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 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, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

  • Why did some people not receive Jesus? (2 Corinthians 4:4)
  • What does Jesus do in the lives of those who receive him? (John 1:12)
  • By whose power are believers born again?

Verse 14 The Word takes on human form

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Consider the bold claim made in this teaching. The Word (logos, eternal life-giving truth) that was with God at the beginning, the One who made all things, the One who made us and knows us through and through – this One has come to “pitch his tent among us” (buy a home in our neighbourhood). Amazing.

Consider the author of this simple, elegant yet profound teaching.

He was a fisherman, the son of a fisherman (Mark 1:19-20). He was unschooled (Acts 4:13). Yet he had been with Jesus. He spoke from personal experience when he said We have seen his glory. He had looked on Jesus and spent time with him, and he had been changed.

Takeaway thought

By identifying Jesus with the eternal Word who was with God at the beginning, John is highlighting that Jesus is the Father’s message to His creation. He embodies all the Father’s truth, intelligence, wisdom and love. His life, laid down so that we could become children of God, is the Father’s love letter to us.

You were created and redeemed by the One who is at the Father’s right hand. He came into this world, lived and died so that you could be reborn as a child of God. 

Despite all our failures He is unfailingly good. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

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Gospel of John – Introduction

Source – Background to the Study of John by W. Hall Harris III, Dallas Theological Seminary, 2001.

Who was the author?

Although traditionally the Apostle John has been assumed to be the the author of the gospel, since about 1850 this has been disputed by some scholars. The book does not name its author and some scholars have given various reasons for doubting that the author could have been the Apostle John. On balance, it seems most likely that the Apostle was indeed the author, for the following reasons

  • Ignatius, leader of the church in Lyons in the second century, attributed the gospel to John the Apostle. Ignatius was a disciple of Polycarp who had been a disciple of John the Apostle.
  • Although the gospel was written in Greek, his Scripture citations seem to come from the Hebrew version of the Old Testament, not the Greek version. He also demonstrates familiarity with many customs of Palestinian Judaism (2:6, 18.28, 19:40). This indicates that he was a Palestinian Jew (i.e. a Jew who spoke Hebrew and who most likely lived in either Judea or Galilee, part of the territory which was later renamed Palestine by the Romans) .
  • The author demonstrates familiarity with Jerusalem by numerous very specific references to physical details of the city (5.2, 18.1, 19.13).
  • He demonstrates detailed familiarity with the people and events involved in the narrative. In other words, he writes from the perspective of an eyewitness. (6.19, 12.1-3)
  • He recalls details of conversations among the apostles in the manner of one who had been there in person. (4.31-33, 14.8, 21:20-23)

When was it written?

Considerations

Various early Christian authors indicate that John had a long life. Jerome (third century) indicated that he died 68 years after Jesus’ passion (somewhere around 100 AD). Irenaeus (2nd century) indicates that John lived into the reign of the Emperor Trajan who began his reign in 98 AD.

A fragment of the gospel has been found in Egypt dating from about 125 AD. Taking into account the time it would take for the document to be copied and come into general circulation, a reasonable guess is that it must have been written by AD 90 at the latest.

The gospel of John indicates familiarity with Jerusalem and mentions several features that were probably destroyed when the city and temple were razed in AD 70. John also makes no mention of the destruction of the temple. This may indicate that it was written sometime before AD 70.

Conclusion

While the letters of John seem to have been written late in John’s life (probably after AD 90) when John was leader of the church in Ephesus and was combatting an early form of the gnostic heresy, the gospel may have been written at an earlier date. A date prior to AD 70 is at least possible.

Author’s Perspective

Although he writes as an eye-witness, he also writes as one who is reflecting on past events and giving insight into their hidden meaning. This is referred to as the “omniscient author” convention. See John 2:18-22 and John 2:23-25 for two examples of this. John is not merely telling a story, he is reflecting on it. It is sometimes difficult to tell where the narrative ends and John’s reflections begin. See John 3:16-21.

Contrast with the Synoptic Gospels

The gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke are sometimes referred to as the synoptic gospels. This comes from the Greek sunopsis meaning with one eye. Although each has its own flavour, they share a basic narrative framework and have many common features. John is different from the Synoptic Gospels in many ways.

  • No parables
  • Many stories from the Synoptics not told in John
  • Longer discourses as distinct from brief, pithy sayings
  • More explicit theological reflection on who Jesus is (e.g John 1:1-14)

Some have used these differences as a basis for attacking the reliability of the gospel of John. More likely, however, is the thought that John wrote with a very distinct and specific purpose that influenced his selection and presentation of material. As he himself said at the conclusion of his gospel,

Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. (John 21:25)

Author’s Purpose

John’s purpose in writing can be summed up in these words from the conclusion of chapter 20.

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:30-31)

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1 John 5:13-17

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.

vs 13

  • Why is it important to know (have assurance) that we have eternal life?
  • How does this knowledge affect the way you live?

vs 14-15

  • What topic does John immediately turn to after he talks about this assurance?
  • What does this tell you about God’s priorities for your life?
  • When John says “if we ask anything according to his will he hears us”, what does he have in mind?
  • What is God’s will for us?

1 Thessalonians 4:3

Philippians 2:15

Matthew 5:14-16

  • What is God’s will for others?

1 Timothy 2:4

Vs 16
If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that.

God will give him life – means that God will give repentance (Acts 11:18)

  • Who are you praying for who is in need of repentance?
  • Do you have assurance that God is answering?
  • What is the sin that leads to death? (Bible Answers, Matthew 12:31)

Note that John does not say you shouldn’t pray for those who have committed this sin. He leaves it up to the individual conscience.

  • Are you praying for someone who has committed the sin that leads to death?
  • How do you pray for them?
  • What has Holy Spirit shown you about this?
  • What does God’s word and the example of Jesus say about it?

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1 John 5:6-12

1 John 5:6 This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 

Historical background – Docetists and gnostics said that Jesus did not have a real physical body and did not really die on the cross, but only appeared to die. (Islam says the same thing).

In opposition to this false teaching, John insists on the following facts about Jesus

  • His baptism (came by water) – the beginning of his ministry, when Holy Spirit testified clearly to his identity
  • His sufferings (came by blood)
  • The water and blood that flowed from his side when he was pierced (evidence that he really died). John 19:34-35

1 John 5:7-9 For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son.

When and how did God testify openly to who Jesus is?

  • At his baptism
  • Through his miracles
  • At his transfiguration
  • At his trials before the Sanhedrin, before Herod and before Pilate
  • At his death, by revealing to the centurion who Jesus was
  • At his resurrection

1 John 5:10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son.

What does John mean by saying that anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in himself?

  • Holy Spirit within us testifies to who Jesus is
  • Testimony of a changed life

1 John 5:11-12 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

We have not yet been raised from the dead. What does John mean by saying that we (already) have eternal life?

John 5:24

1 John 3:14

Ephesians 1:11-14 ESV, NIV

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1 John 1:1-4

Author

Jesus’ youngest disciple, who described himself as the disciple Jesus loved. Also wrote Gospel of John, Book of Revelation.

When written?

Probably towards the end of John’s life.

Purpose

To clarify and strengthen the faith of his readers in the face of heresies (false or misleading teachings) that had arisen in the church. Early gnosticism.

Verse 1

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.

What does it say?

  • He is talking about a message (Word) that has existed since the world began.
  • He says he has heard this message
  • He says he has seen this message
  • He says he has touched this message

What does it mean?

  • How can a message have existed from the beginning of time yet still be spoken today?
  • How can a message be seen and touched as well as heard?
  • What message fits these criteria? What message is he talking about?

How does it apply to my life?

Verse 2

The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.

What does it say?

  • This life became visible and John saw it.
  • He says this life was with the Father (God)
  • He says it appeared to him (and others: “we”)

What does it mean?

  • The life of God can be touched and seen
  • John had personal experience of what he was writing about. He was an eye witness.

How does it apply to my life?

Verses 3-4

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete

What does it say?

  • He wants his readers to have fellowship with him
  • He defines this fellowship
  • It’s with God the Father
  • It’s with the Father’s Son, Jesus Christ
  • He says he is talking about something that he has seen and heard
  • He says this fellowship brings joy

What does it mean?

  • What is fellowship?
  • What does it mean to have fellowship with the Father and his Son?
  • Why would it bring John joy that we would have fellowship with God? Why would he care?

How does it apply to my life?

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