Author: Art Davison

THE RAGE AND ENMITY OF THE JEWS AGAINST JESUS

JOHN 5:15-18

The Lord had just healed a man who had an infirmity for 38 years. He was at the pool of Bethesda, but unable to help himself. Jesus had compassion on him and asked him, “Wilt thou be made whole?” The man related his problem about no one to help. The Lord’s reply was, “Rise, take up thy bed and walk.” The man was made whole immediately and took up his bed.

This was done on the Sabbath and the Jews reacted to what had happened.

I. THE JEWS PERSECUTE JESUS

A. The man that was healed testifies as to who healed him, v. 15, “The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.”

1. There was no intention to betray the Lord, but rather TO SHARE his blessing, John 4:29, “Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?”

2. However, the Jews TOOK ADVANTAGE of the situation, v. 16, “And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.”

a. Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath:

1) John later recorded the cure of a blind man on the Sabbath, John 9:1-14.

2) The grain picking by His disciples on the Sabbath, Mark 2:23-28.

3) The healing of a shriveled hand, Mark 3:1-5.

4) The curing a woman who had been crippled for 18 years, Luke 13:10-17.

5) The healing a man with dropsy, Luke 14:1-6.

b. Jesus’ theology of the Sabbath DIFFERED from that of His opponents.

c. Jesus’ opponents were PROGRESSIVELY HUMILIATED while the crowds FAVORED Him.

B. They could only see the supposed violation of the Sabbath, Isaiah 42:20, “Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.”

C. They took no notice of the fact that this man had been healed by God’s Word, Isaiah 28:14, “Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.”

II. JESUS RESPONDS TO THE JEWS

A. “MY FATHER worketh hitherto,” Isaiah 40:25-26, “To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. 26Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.”

B. “And I work.”

1. Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath, Matthew 12:8, “For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.”

2. Jesus had the Father’s authority to work.

a. He taught with authority, Matthew 7:29, “For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”

b. He healed with authority, Mark 1:27, “And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.”

1) This was NOT a new doctrine, but rather the Christ at Work.

2) With authority He COMMANDED unclean spirits, sickness, and even death to obey Him, Mark 7:37, “And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.”

III. THE JEWS REACTION TO HIS STATEMENT

A. They sought to kill the Lord, v. 18.

1. Because He has BROKEN the Sabbath, Mark 2:27-28, “And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: 28Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.”

2. Because He MADE God His Father, John 8:54, “Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:”

3. Because He made Himself EQUAL with God, John 10:30, 33, “I and my Father are one. 33The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.”

B. The main reason for their hatred of Christ was that their position was threatened, John 11:47-48, “Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. 48If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.”

1. Their fear was that all men would believe on Jesus, John 1:7, “The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.”

2. The Jews feared that they would lose their position, Matthew 21:40-41, “When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? 41They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.”

CONCLUSION:

The Jews continued to persecute Jesus to the very end. While He healed many on the Sabbath, as Lord of the Sabbath He saved many people from hell as well as healed their bodies. Jesus like His Father, continued to work.

THE PARABLE TO THE EYE

JOHN 13:12-17

Introduction:

Jesus did something here that the disciples did not understand at the first. “Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.” John 13:7.

Jesus showed them the humble heart of a servant. He lowered Himself to wash their feet. Peter did not understand the purpose of the washing and thought he needed to be washed completely. However, the Lord was demonstrating a principle and not establishing an ordinance.

I. JESUS HUMBLY CONDESCENDED

A. Jesus is on a higher level than we are.

1. Master, Teacher, John 3:2, “The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.”

2. Lord of lords, Revelation 17:14, “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.”

B. Yet He had done a humble service for His disciples.

1. An inner humility was manifested as that of a widowed believer, 1 Timothy 5:10, “Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.”

2. The foot washing was a pattern, v. 15; Hebrews 8:5, “Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.”

3. He was meeting the needs of others in a self-sacrificially way, Romans 12:1, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

C. No servant is greater than his master, John 12:26, “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.”

1. Not to follow the example of Jesus is to exalt oneself above Him, Proverbs 29:23, “A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.”

2. The example of Jesus was to minister to others, Matthew 20:28, “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

a. To serve the Lord you must become a servant of all, Mark 9:35, “And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.”

b. God gives more grace to the humble, James 4:6, “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”

c. Before honor is humility, Proverbs 18:12, “Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.”

3. The Lord always sought to help others, 1 Corinthians 10:24, “Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.”

4. God takes note of those who minister to the saints, Hebrews 6:10, “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”

II. WE SHOULD FOLLOW HIS EXAMPLE

A. Because of His love for us, John 13:1, “Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.”

B. Because of our love for Him, 1 John 4:19, “We love him, because he first loved us.”

1. Our love is based on forgiveness of our sin, Luke 7:47, “Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.”

2. His love is based on His nature, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”

C. Therefore, humble yourselves, James 4:10, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”

CONCLUSION:

Foot washing is not an ordinance, but we should be willing to do that in order to serve God with honor. Until we are willing to humble ourselves before the Lord we will never to a good servant.

THE LORD QUESTIONS PETER

JOHN 21:15-25

Introduction:

Here is this last portion of the Gospel of John we see the Lord questioning Peter about his love for the Lord. Peter as well as the other Apostles had gone through a great deal of stress during the Lord’s trials and death on the cross. The Lord’s resurrection had caused them to rejoice, but still they had things to learn.

In this portion of chapter 21 we are looking at Peter and his response to the Savior about his love for the Lord.

I. THREE TIMES PETER SAID HE DID NOT EVEN KNOW THE LORD

John 18:17, 25, 27, “Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not. 25 And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not. 27 Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.”

A. The Lord’s first question to Peter regarding his love for the Lord, v. 15.

1. Simon Son of Jonas (John), “Do you truly love Me more than these?” v. 15, “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.”

a. Jesus speaks to him by name, the more to affect him, Luke 22:31, “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:”

b. The Lord had called him when he pronounced him blessed, Simon Barjona, Matthew 16:17, “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”

2. Jesus probably was referring to His disciples, in light of Peter’s proud statement that he never would fall away no matter what others did, Matthew 26:33, 35, “Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. 35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.”

a. Luke records it thus, Luke 22:33, “And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.”

b. John records Peter’s words, John 13:37, “Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.”

3. No matter how great a person is, he may fall, 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”

B. The Lord’s second and third questions about Peter love for Him, v. 16.

1. The word “love” in the first two questions is the Greek word “agapao” which “can be know only from the actions it prompts.

a. God’s love is seen in the gift of His Son, 1 John 4:9-10, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

b. This is NOT the love of affection, that is, it was not drawn out by any excellency in it objects, Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

2. The word “love” in the third question is the Greek word “phileo” which represents tender affection.

a. It is used for the love of the Father for the Son, John 3:35, “The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.”

b. It is used for the Believer, John 14:21, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”

II. PETER’S RESPONSE TO THE QUESTIONS

A. The first two questions, “Simon, do you love Me?”

1. Peter responds, “Lord, you know very well (suggest fullness of knowledge) that I love you.” 2 Samuel 7:20, “And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant.”

2. God knows all of us perfectly, Hebrews 4:13, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”

B. Peter’s response to the third question.

1. Peter responds with the same word as before in the first phrase of the statement.

2. In the second phrase the word “know” is different in the Greek meaning “come to know and understand,” John 8:55, “Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.”

3. Feed my Sheep, Psalm 78:70-72, “He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: 71 From followingl the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance. 72 So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.”

CONCLUSION:

The Lord’s questions to Peter were very carefully designed not to shame him. The Lord had waited until they all had eaten and then He posed His questions. This was a teaching session and not a rebuke. Peter had already repented in tears, so the Lord was teaching all of His disciples what needed to be learned from this.

THE JOY OF THOSE WHO ARE FRIENDS OF JESUS

JOHN 15:11-17

Introduction:

You know that good friends are hard to come by. Solomon said in Proverbs 18:24, “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Being friendly with the Lord Jesus brings the blessings of God into our lives.

I. THE JOY IN KNOWING JESUS CHRIST

A. Jesus had great joy in pleasing His Father by living a FRUITFUL LIFE, Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

1. Jesus came TO DO His Father’s WILL, John 5:30, “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.”

2. Jesus DID NOT COME to PLEASE HIMSELF, Romans 15:3, “For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.”

B. The PURPOSE of His teaching is to give man an ABUNDANT life, NOT a JOYLESS EXISTENCE, John 10:10, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

1. He came to SAVE LIFE, John 3:17, “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

2. He ENCOURAGES and HELPS the believer, Ezekiel 34:16, “I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.”

C. The commands for His disciples to obey, are for THEIR JOY, John17:13, “And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.”

1. Unity in serving the Lord brought GREAT JOY, Acts 2:46, “And THEY, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,”

2. The REPORT of the CONVERSION of the Gentiles brought REJOICING, Acts 15:3, “And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.”

II. THE JOY OF LOVING ONE ANOTHER

A. This was NOT a request, but a COMMAND, v. 17, “These things I command you, that ye love one another.”

B. The STANDARD for that love is Christ’s EXAMPLE, v. 12, “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.”

III. THE JOY OF BEING THE FRIEND OF JESUS

A. Jesus DEMONSTRATED His love, v. 13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

B. God called Abraham “MY FRIEND”, Isaiah 41:8, “But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.”

C. Like close friends, Abraham and God COMMUNICATED well with each other, Genesis 18:17, “And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;”

IV. THE JOY OF OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR FRIEND JESUS CHRIST

A. A SERVANT does NOT know his master’s business, v. 15, “Henceforth I call you NOT SERVANTS; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you FRIENDS; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”

B. We are servants who WILLINGLY and lovingly OBEY our Savior, Romans 6:16, “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”

C. Jesus reminds us that disciples generally choose their teacher, but in our case HE CHOSE US, v. 19, “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”

1. He chose His disciples for a mission, Matthew 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”

2. The Father would answer their requests in order to accomplish that mission, John 15:7, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”

3. Whatever you ask in Jesus’ name WILL BE DONE to fulfill the Father’s will, John 16:23-24, “And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”

CONCLUSION:

There is joy in serving Christ ONLY when the believer is CLOSE TO HIM. His joy reaches us through our fellowship with Him in His service.

Solomon said “there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”

THE HOUR HAD COME

JOHN 12:20-33

Introduction:

The Lord has progressively worked toward the hour in which He would die for all mankind. Now that hour had come. We have seen Him as he was hailed the King of Israel in the previous verses as he rode upon a donkey into Jerusalem.

Now we see him as He prepares to be betrayed and crucified for our sins.

I. SEEKERS OF THE TRUTH

A. Greeks desire to see Jesus, v. 20.

1. They had come to worship, Mark 7:26-29, “The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. 27 But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs. 28 And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs. 29 And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.”

2. The Greeks were known to be seekers of truth, John 8:32, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

3. Remember that Jesus mentioned that He had “other sheep,” John 10:16, “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”

B. Jesus recognizes the time, v. 23.

1. Jesus had been moving toward that hour, John 2:4, “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.” John 4:21, 23, “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 23But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.” John 7:5-6, 30, “For neither did his brethren believe in him. 6 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready. 8 Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come. 30 Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.” John 8:20, “These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.”

2. It was time to glorify the Son of man, John 17:1, “These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:”

II. A CORN OF WHEAT…

A. Must die to bring forth fruit, v. 24; Isaiah 53:10, 12, “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”

B. Jesus must die according to prophecy.

1. The Old Testament prophecy, Zechariah 13:7, “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.”

2. The High Priest’s prophecy, John 11:49-53, “And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, 50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. 51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; 52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. 53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.”

III. FOR THIS CAUSE COME I TO THIS HOUR

A. The Lord’s soul was troubled, v. 27; Matthew 26:38, “Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.”

1. The sin of our soul was the trouble of Christ’s soul, 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

2. The trouble of his soul was designed to ease that of our souls, John 14:1, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.”

3. He had come to die, John 10:17-18, “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”

B. “Father, glorify thy name,” v. 28.

1. Foremost in the Lord’s mind was to glorify His Father, John 17:1, 4-5, “These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: 4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.”

2. God responds to His Son’s prayer, v. 28; John 13:31-32, “Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.”

CONCLUSION:

Jesus came to this earth to glorify His Father by redeeming man from his sin. The Apostle Paul tells us in Hebrews 12:2 that Jesus is “the author and finisher of our faith.” In Revelation 1:8 Jesus says “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending.” The Lord has successfully begun and concluded our spiritual need of salvation from sin.