Tag Archives: Spirit

John 7:37-52

vs 37-39 : Rivers of Living Water

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out,  “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Historical Note

Commentary on John 7:37  ( Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers, 1877 )

These words were almost certainly suggested by part of the ritual of the festival, which consisted in a solemn procession with music, and headed by a priest, which went on each morning from the Temple to the pool of Siloam, where the priest filled a golden vase with water and carried it to the Temple amid the joyful cries of the people. He then poured it out on the western side of the altar of burnt-offering; while another priest poured a drink-offering of wine, at the same time, on the eastern side of the altar, and the people during this act chanted the words of “the Hallel,” Psalms 113-118. If we accept the eighth day as that referred to in this verse, then this ceremony was not repeated; but its very absence may have suggested the fuller declaration of the reality of which it was the representation. The current Rabbinical interpretation of the symbolism connected it with the gift of the latter rain, which was at this season; and also with the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Discussion

If anyone thirsts let him come to me and drink.

  • What about those who are not thirsty? What do they receive?
  • How much of the living water is enough to satisfy the thirst of a truly thirsty soul?
  • How thirsty are you? How thirsty do you want to be?

Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water

  • Have you experienced living water flowing out of you to quench someone else’s thirst?
  • Do you want more of this?
  • Can this river run dry?

Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive

  • What does believing in Jesus have to do with receiving the Spirit?
  • Why did the giving of the Spirit come after Jesus had been glorified (crucified and raised up again)?
vs. 40-52 : Division because of Jesus

When they heard these words, some of the people said, “This really is the Prophet.”
Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Is the Christ to come from Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” So there was a division among the people over him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.

The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why did you not bring him?” The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!” The Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.” Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”

Discussion

In the responses to Jesus we see the division between soul and spirit (Hebrews 4:12).

When they heard these words, some of the people said, “This really is the Prophet.”
Others said, “This is the Christ.”

  • Who showed these people that Jesus was the Messiah?

But some said, “Is the Christ to come from Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?”

  • Why did some doubt?
  • Can correct opinions stand in the way of the new thing that God wants to show us?

No-one ever spoke like this man

  • What was it about Jesus that had such an impact on the temple guards?

Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him?

  • What were the Pharisees trying to achieve here?
Personal Reflection

If we want to draw near to Jesus, understand who He really is, and receive more of the Holy Spirit from him, what are some of the qualities that we need to cultivate?

Share Button

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.

Share Button

John 4:16-30

A Samaritan Woman Meets Jesus – Part 2

Recap of Part 1 – vs 1-15

Jesus had started to get attention from the Pharisees, who had noticed that he was attracting more followers than John the Baptist. He withdrew to his home territory of Galilee and chose to go by way of Samaria [verse 4 says he had to pass through Samaria – indicating a divine purpose]. While there he initiated an encounter with a woman who had come to draw water. If he were following the rules of conduct for a rabbi he would have avoided her on at least three counts, as she was a Samaritan, a woman and had lived an immoral lifestyle. Instead, Jesus engaged her in a dialogue about living water. She seemed to think he was talking about a better source of physical water – but she was clearly drawn to Jesus and wanted to know more.

Vs 16-20 – Jesus reveals the secrets of her heart

Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.”

Background

When the kingdom of Israel was split into two nations following the death of Solomon, the ten northern tribes [Kingdom of Israel] built their own temple in Samaria. It was destroyed by the Assyrians in 722 BC. The tribes of Judah and Benjamin [Kingdom of Judah] continued to worship at Jerusalem until the Jerusalem temple was destroyed in 586 BC, and again after it was rebuilt. After the Samaritan temple was destroyed, some members of the ten northern tribes also came to worship in Jerusalem but apparently most did not.

vs 16-18 – Go, call your husband …. I have no husband …. you have had five husbands

  • Jesus zeroes in on her sin, brokenness and shame
  • He is doing exactly what is described in 1 Cor 14:24-25. This is the gift of prophecy at work.
  • Notice that he doesn’t tell her she is a sinner. She already knows.
  • By prophesying to her – without condemnation, simply speaking truth – Jesus reveals her heart and she is on the hook.

vs 19-20 – I perceive that you are a prophet … our fathers worshiped on this mountain

  • The woman realizes that Jesus is prophesying to her
  • She immediately asks him a question about worship. She correctly assumes that as a Jew he would regard the temple in Jerusalem as the proper place to worship.
  • Why do you think she brought up this topic?
  • Was she responding to God in some way, or was she just trying to dodge the awkward, embarrassing issue of her marital history?
  • Hint # 1 – what was the point of Temple worship?
  • Hint # 2 – is there a connection between worship and prophecy?
Vs 21-24 – Jesus reveals true worship (and invites her in to it)

Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

  • Jesus answers her question with no disrespect. Amazingly, He uses her question as a springboard to address the deepest need of her heart.
  • He affirms that salvation comes from the Jews (they are the chosen people and their Messiah is the Saviour of the world) but then shifts the focus to the true worship.
  • What does worship in spirit and truth require of us? What does it promise us?
  • Imagine you were this woman. How might you be feeling as Jesus spoke to you about these things? What thoughts might be passing through your mind?
Vs 25-30 – Jesus reveals His identity as Messiah. The woman becomes a witness to her town.

The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.” Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?” So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” They went out of the town and were coming to him.

Background

The Samaritans had their own Pentateuch [first 5 books] and believed from Deut 18:15-19 that a (teaching) prophet like Moses would come at the end of days.

  • The woman speaks of this hope, perhaps as if to say “I don’t understand all this talk about worship, but when the Teacher comes, he will explain it all to us”.
  • The disciples arrive and are amazed that Jesus was talking to a woman. Why?
  • Why didn’t they question Jesus about this?
  • Jesus tells her that he is the Messiah and she is convinced enough to tell the townspeople about him.  Why? What convinced her?
  • What was the result of all this?

Reflection

Based on this story

  • How was Jesus different from most other religious leaders of his day (or ours)?
  • How can the gift of prophecy serve the purpose of evangelism?

Ministry

Let’s stir up the gift of prophecy by praying over each other and listening to Holy Spirit as we do so.

Personal prophecy is not good advice. It’s not primarily about giving correction or direction. Paul says that the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation (1 Corinthians 14:3) and that prophecy has the potential to reveal secrets of the heart (1 Corinthians 14:24-25). In so doing it also reveals Jesus, brings about spontaneous repentance and leads to genuine worship.

Share Button

John 3:22-36

John 3:22-36

vs 22-24 – Baptizing

After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized (for John had not yet been put in prison).

Time Frame : All this occurred before John the Baptist was put in prison. Jesus’ public ministry in Galilee, which makes up a large part of the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, began after John was put in prison. The events of John 1-3 took place before this public Galilean ministry.

  • Matthew, Mark and Luke have a shorter time frame than John, but cover the events of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee in much greater detail than John, listing many events and teachings that John omits.
  • John has a longer time overall time frame (including three Passover visits to Jerusalem). He also includes some events and facts that are not found in the other gospels. For example, nothing is said in the other gospels about Jesus’ disciples baptizing before His resurrection. He also includes some discussions with the Pharisees (“the Jews”) that are not found in the other gospels. Interwoven with all this is a great deal of in-depth teaching on who Jesus is.
vs 25-30 -The Friend of the Bridegroom

Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.”

The discussion … over purification may have been about which baptism was more effective for removing sin – that of John the Baptist or that of Jesus.  Evidently the crowds were being drawn to Jesus.

  • When John the Baptist’s disciples told him that the crowds were leaving him and going to Jesus, what was John’s attitude?

In a Jewish wedding at this time, the friend of the bridegroom served the bridegroom in every way. He made all the arrangements for the wedding. After the wedding ceremony he also protected the bridal chamber, after the bride had entered to make herself ready for her husband, and kept intruders out. The exact time when the bridegroom would come for his bride was kept secret. When the bridegroom came for the bride, he heard the bridegroom’s voice and raised a shout. He rejoiced greatly because the bridegroom had come for his bride.

  • How would you characterize the attitude of a friend of the bridegroom?
  • Why did John the Baptist rejoice to hear the Bridegroom’s voice?
  • Why was he willing to fade into the background and play “second fiddle”?
  • What challenge does this pose to our hearts?

Jesus’ earthly ministry was the first stage of Jesus’ relationship with his Bride, but Jesus’ return for His Bride is still in the future.

The bride has one characteristic in common with the friend of the bridegroom. They are both eager to hear the bridegroom’s voice. 

  • Are we crying out with the Spirit, Come Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:17, 20)? Or are we too in love with the familiar things of our present life to be eager for His coming?
vs 31-36 – The Testimony of Jesus

He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

He who is of the earth may refer to John the Baptist. It’s not a criticism of John. John spoke of things that happen on earth (repentance) although his message came from heaven.  He who comes from above speaks of Jesus. What he has seen and heard refers to things of heaven, as in the discussion with Nicodemus (John 3:9-13).

he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure

  • Where do true words of God come from?
  • Who gives the Holy Spirit without measure?
  • What is eternal life? John 17:3, John 17:20-24
Prayer

Let’s ask God to stir up in us a greater desire for the Bridegroom’s voice and for His coming.

 

Share Button

Spirit, Soul and Body

Who’s in Charge Here?

The New Testament describes our human nature as made up of three distinct but interrelated aspects. One of the biggest determinants of the quality of our life in Christ is whether we will let ourselves be led by the Spirit, who communicates with the human spirit of born-again people, or whether we will continue to be led by the soul (our own human mind, will and emotions).

1 Corinthians 2:1-13
And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
But, as it is written,
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him”—
these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit.

For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

1 Corinthians 2:14-16

The natural [psuchikos, “soulish”] person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual [pneumatikos] person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:23

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For discussion

  • What does Paul mean by a psuchikos (soulish) person?
  • What does he mean by a pneumatikos (spiritual) person?
  • Describe in your own words the process of learning to let your soul (mind, will, emotions) be governed by the Spirit speaking to your human spirit.
  • Is there still a role for the human mind in a life that is surrendered to God? Is there a role for the human will? For human emotions?
  • What does it mean for your spirit, soul and body to be sanctified (made holy and blameless)?

Diagrams © Ellel Ministries Canada and portions © Dutch Sheets Ministries

For further reading

Romans 12:1-2

Hebrews 4:12

2 Corinthians 3:18

Derek Prince – Spiritual or Soulish?

Watchman Nee and Witness Lee – Joints and Marrow

Share Button

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

Share Button