I found a blog online...
'Not peace, but a sword' by sue love
A mans enemies will be those of his own household...gulp
'Not peace, but a sword' by sue love
A mans enemies will be those of his own household...gulp
John’s Gospel-reflection
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Me neither, so maybe judas never even came to Jesus in the first place....mmmmm
Whenever i hear about the fluffy 'gentle, meek and mild' Jesus, i think of Him overturning the tables in His Father's house...
Sadly I think that often happens. I have been isolated in my faith, but I am not alone. Sometimes you witness a big change for the better. I have seen a member of my family change so much, he is like a different person. I an convinced The Holy Spirit is moving him.I found a blog online...
'Not peace, but a sword' by sue love
A mans enemies will be those of his own household...gulp
Thanks be to God.
That reminds me that there is a difference between anger ang temper.Whenever i hear about the fluffy 'gentle, meek and mild' Jesus, i think of Him overturning the tables in His Father's house...
What is the difference? I went somewhere the other night, and felt like doing the same...but i would have been locked up!
I'm isolated, that's why i'm on the forum...but even this can be a distraction from Jesus.
Christians aren't alone, even if it feels that way sometimes.
Its encouraging that you've seen a change in the family member though. Praise The Lord!
If a person is in a temper they can lose control and later regret their words or actions. If a person is angry, with just cause, they know exactly what they are doing and do not lose control.
But that is my thoughts.
No we will never be alone. Praise The Lord.I'm isolated, that's why i'm on the forum...but even this can be a distraction from Jesus.
Christians aren't alone, even if it feels that way sometimes.
Its encouraging that you've seen a change in the family member though. Praise The Lord!
I'm isolated, that's why i'm on the forum...but even this can be a distraction from Jesus.
Christians aren't alone, even if it feels that way sometimes.
Its encouraging that you've seen a change in the family member though. Praise The Lord!
Hello Cosia and Choose Life;
When you say isolated, do you mean like a lone Christian? I believe everyone of us has our own circumstance in our walk with Jesus.
I've always got in trouble because I let down the guard of my heart and tongue in social and Christian social settings.
I believe our acceptance of Jesus as our Lord and Savior means He is alway working through us no matter our case.
Your thoughts?
God bless you, sisters, and your families.
Thankyou for the blessing bob. Got a feeling that we'll need it.
Ive let down my guard to way too many people, and now i have trust issues. 'but He didnt entrust Himself to them, because He knew what was in all men' (mankind).
Lone Christian, yes (apart from here of course)
watching revelation tv, on the persecuted church...puts my poxy issues in their place 
John 7
Jesus was back in galilee, the dust from Judea off His feet?
The feast of booths/tents was at hand (transfiguration) a seven day feast, as commanded in The Torah. Jesus had nowhere to lay His head, in 'the chosen' it shows Him living in a tent. Maybe He did?
His brothers goaded Him to reveal Himself (if He was Who He said He was). Reminds me of Joseph, and His envious brothers who got rid of him. Were Jesus's brothers conspiring to get rid of Him too? The Gospel says that they didn't believe in Him. 'why are you so secretive? Really? His signs up to this point couldn't have been more publicly open;
1.Changing water into wine at Cana. 2:1-11 - "the first of the signs"
2. Healing the royal official's son in Capernaum 4:46-54.
3. Healing the paralytic at Bethesda 5:1-15.
4. Feeding the 5000 6:5-14.
5. Walking on water 6:16-24.
Jesus said that His time had not 'fully' come, yet He had already begun to reveal Himself,...What did He mean by not fully come? He still had work to still do in galilee?
Either way, Jesus did go up secretly (from His brothers?) Do family sometimes hold us back from our 'missions'?
I'm not going up 'yet', the word 'yet' isn't in the NU text, so did He change His mind? Why? Because He could? Because He relented maybe? If so, Thank The Lord, that He does sometimes change His mind...His mercy endures forever.
The world hates Him. satan, the Prince of this world did hate Him and he hates us, when we choose to follow Jesus. When it comes to the battle for humankind's souls, satan wants them/us back...Jesus wins in the end though. That battle belongs to The Lord.
How do we feel about being hated, when we tell people that they need to turn from their wicked ways? (especially with our past's). Are we people pleasers, or God pleasers? It's a difficult narrow path. IF we choose to follow...we will be disliked, persecuted, and hated. "A man's enemies will be those of his own household".
Although He went up secretly, for three and a half days, it seems that He kept quiet (v.14) when He did begin to teach, in the temple, it was right in the middle of the seven day feast, sound familiar? (Daniel).
People were afraid to speak up, intrigued by Jesus, but fearing the Jews. They were afraid of being thrown out of the temple, of being cut off from their God. They believed in God, they were at the feast, after all, but the pharisees were trying to stop them believing in Jesus. If these people didn't follow The Law of Moses, they were accursed apparently. Perhaps the pharisees initially thought He was a false prophet, or a revolutionary, but couldn't deny the signs that He'd performed. They knew that He was from God, (according to Nicodemus).
The pharisees were told that they could not follow where He was going, why not? because they were religious? They'd had murderous thoughts? He knew that they were conspiring to kill Him. He knew their thoughts and intentions, and of course, He knows ours. They were actually wishing Him dead, because He made a man well on the sabbath! What on earth was going on? He told them straight, they were of their father, the devil. Imagine plotting to kill a prophet from God? Imagine wishing anybody dead. I know people (professing believers) who have done this, and they're not even ashamed... "even the demons believe (and tremble)".
Would He be going to the dispersion? He did! All nations would come to hear about Him. The Jewish people had then, and have been dispersing for centuries. Historically persecuted, and not welcomed anywhere.
Theodore Herzl had warned the Jews to leave Germany prior to the rising hatred, and even his own daughter died in the holocaust. Herzl predicted, in his diary, in 1897, a fifty year timeline to the forming of the state of Israel. In 1948 it came to pass. 20th century Prophet perhaps? Unfortunately, he didn't see it come to pass...but his legacy lives on. His remains were exhumed, and he was buried on a mountain named after him in Jerusalem, with a view of the temple Mount.
Joseph's left instructions for his bones to be taken from Egypt, to the promised land too.
How did this man Jesus know the letters in the Scriptures? Ha, He wrote them!
The scriptures speak of Him, He is Theo-logy! There is NO unrighteousness in Him-He is holy...what a claim, what boldness. Who would dare to claim that? Only The Almighty could claim to be righteous, as He said, "Why do you call me good?, no-one is good, but God".
Judge with Righteous judgement, so judgement is allowed then? We should not judge others, lest we be judged. Could this sometimes be a cop-out though? Of course we should take the plank out of our own eyes, there shouldn't be any planks there anyway! (Talking to myself too) We must take care, lest we fall. But, we do have a duty to tell people the consequences of their actions, and where they will lead them to, for eternity, or we will have to give an account to The Lord, for their souls being in torment. Ezeikel 3:18-19, & 18:21-32.
It seems that it was common knowledge to the people, that the Jews sought to kill Jesus. The people at the feast began to ask, 'is this The Christ?' Revelation from The Father in Heaven? Micah 5:2 told them where The Christ would come from, had they never read? They should have known. Why did they not know that He was born in Bethlehem? Why Galilee?
He was probably doing more signs because more people were beginning to believe in Him at the feast.
The last day of the feast, He was crying out. His hand still outstretched, as with us. AND He will in no wise cast anyone out, who comes to Him.
The Spirit of Holiness was not given yet, not until He was glorified. The Jesus believers would (will) receive Him, the promised gift, bearing His fruits. ALL nine of them!
Do we lack any? Do we have any?
The religious leaders- blind, naked and wretched, over-ruled some of the people, they still do. The deeds of nicolatians which Jesus hates nico (victory over people, or control) Latians (laity) is still going on in churches.
Jesus was back in galilee, the dust from Judea off His feet?
The feast of booths/tents was at hand (transfiguration) a seven day feast, as commanded in The Torah. Jesus had nowhere to lay His head, in 'the chosen' it shows Him living in a tent. Maybe He did?
His brothers goaded Him to reveal Himself (if He was Who He said He was). Reminds me of Joseph, and His envious brothers who got rid of him. Were Jesus's brothers conspiring to get rid of Him too? The Gospel says that they didn't believe in Him. 'why are you so secretive? Really? His signs up to this point couldn't have been more publicly open;
1.Changing water into wine at Cana. 2:1-11 - "the first of the signs"
2. Healing the royal official's son in Capernaum 4:46-54.
3. Healing the paralytic at Bethesda 5:1-15.
4. Feeding the 5000 6:5-14.
5. Walking on water 6:16-24.
Jesus said that His time had not 'fully' come, yet He had already begun to reveal Himself,...What did He mean by not fully come? He still had work to still do in galilee?
Either way, Jesus did go up secretly (from His brothers?) Do family sometimes hold us back from our 'missions'?
I'm not going up 'yet', the word 'yet' isn't in the NU text, so did He change His mind? Why? Because He could? Because He relented maybe? If so, Thank The Lord, that He does sometimes change His mind...His mercy endures forever.
The world hates Him. satan, the Prince of this world did hate Him and he hates us, when we choose to follow Jesus. When it comes to the battle for humankind's souls, satan wants them/us back...Jesus wins in the end though. That battle belongs to The Lord.
How do we feel about being hated, when we tell people that they need to turn from their wicked ways? (especially with our past's). Are we people pleasers, or God pleasers? It's a difficult narrow path. IF we choose to follow...we will be disliked, persecuted, and hated. "A man's enemies will be those of his own household".
Although He went up secretly, for three and a half days, it seems that He kept quiet (v.14) when He did begin to teach, in the temple, it was right in the middle of the seven day feast, sound familiar? (Daniel).
People were afraid to speak up, intrigued by Jesus, but fearing the Jews. They were afraid of being thrown out of the temple, of being cut off from their God. They believed in God, they were at the feast, after all, but the pharisees were trying to stop them believing in Jesus. If these people didn't follow The Law of Moses, they were accursed apparently. Perhaps the pharisees initially thought He was a false prophet, or a revolutionary, but couldn't deny the signs that He'd performed. They knew that He was from God, (according to Nicodemus).
The pharisees were told that they could not follow where He was going, why not? because they were religious? They'd had murderous thoughts? He knew that they were conspiring to kill Him. He knew their thoughts and intentions, and of course, He knows ours. They were actually wishing Him dead, because He made a man well on the sabbath! What on earth was going on? He told them straight, they were of their father, the devil. Imagine plotting to kill a prophet from God? Imagine wishing anybody dead. I know people (professing believers) who have done this, and they're not even ashamed... "even the demons believe (and tremble)".
Would He be going to the dispersion? He did! All nations would come to hear about Him. The Jewish people had then, and have been dispersing for centuries. Historically persecuted, and not welcomed anywhere.
Theodore Herzl had warned the Jews to leave Germany prior to the rising hatred, and even his own daughter died in the holocaust. Herzl predicted, in his diary, in 1897, a fifty year timeline to the forming of the state of Israel. In 1948 it came to pass. 20th century Prophet perhaps? Unfortunately, he didn't see it come to pass...but his legacy lives on. His remains were exhumed, and he was buried on a mountain named after him in Jerusalem, with a view of the temple Mount.
Joseph's left instructions for his bones to be taken from Egypt, to the promised land too.
How did this man Jesus know the letters in the Scriptures? Ha, He wrote them!
The scriptures speak of Him, He is Theo-logy! There is NO unrighteousness in Him-He is holy...what a claim, what boldness. Who would dare to claim that? Only The Almighty could claim to be righteous, as He said, "Why do you call me good?, no-one is good, but God".
Judge with Righteous judgement, so judgement is allowed then? We should not judge others, lest we be judged. Could this sometimes be a cop-out though? Of course we should take the plank out of our own eyes, there shouldn't be any planks there anyway! (Talking to myself too) We must take care, lest we fall. But, we do have a duty to tell people the consequences of their actions, and where they will lead them to, for eternity, or we will have to give an account to The Lord, for their souls being in torment. Ezeikel 3:18-19, & 18:21-32.
It seems that it was common knowledge to the people, that the Jews sought to kill Jesus. The people at the feast began to ask, 'is this The Christ?' Revelation from The Father in Heaven? Micah 5:2 told them where The Christ would come from, had they never read? They should have known. Why did they not know that He was born in Bethlehem? Why Galilee?
He was probably doing more signs because more people were beginning to believe in Him at the feast.
The last day of the feast, He was crying out. His hand still outstretched, as with us. AND He will in no wise cast anyone out, who comes to Him.
The Spirit of Holiness was not given yet, not until He was glorified. The Jesus believers would (will) receive Him, the promised gift, bearing His fruits. ALL nine of them!
Do we lack any? Do we have any?
The religious leaders- blind, naked and wretched, over-ruled some of the people, they still do. The deeds of nicolatians which Jesus hates nico (victory over people, or control) Latians (laity) is still going on in churches.
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John 8
Jesus left the feast of booths and went straight to the Mount of Olives. Perhaps to pray all night, as He did, in preparation for His next hurdle.
He didn't go back home. Did His brothers? Did they want to distance themselves now that He was in real trouble? Jesus had younger brothers and sisters. Mary had children after she had given birth to Jesus!
He went to the temple very early in the morning. The Temple was always open. churches are often closed now, except for a couple of hours on a Sunday..if only they opened at night, for the homeless? Just a thought. I wonder 'what would Jesus do'?
A woman 'caught in the act' of adultery was brought to the temple. No wonder she didn't put up a fight. Imagine being caught red-handed? the shame of it.
So, Jesus was not allowed to make a man well on the sabbath, but it was ok to buy and sell 'sin offerings' with dishonest scales, and bring 'unclean' adulterers into the House of the Lord... typical!
He completely ignored them? And wrote on the ground. I've often wondered what He wrote down, some have commented that He was writing all of their sins in the dust, or the Ten Commandments (again).
Jesus's wisdom, even greater than Solomon's. He could stone her! He had every right to, being sinless and all. Yet He didn’t damn the woman
Adulterers, He doesnt condemn you/me/us once we have repented. Do we realise what adultery is? That it comes under the banner of "looking at a woman [person] with lust in their heart"?..we."ALL have sinned and fallen short of The Glory of God". Sexual immorality translates 'pornea' (greek).
Go and sin no more, or from now on. Repentance means 'turning away from', do not touch, do not taste, do not look, 'take every thought captive to obey Christ'. Obedience in this area isn't up for debate. Our reward? He [she] who The Son sets free, will be free indeed.
The elders were convicted of their sin first. Pricked in their hearts, ashamed, they left their stones, and sculked away, but not for long. They hung around, accusing Him.
He knows where He is from, they don't. He is one with The Father, they're not. Their father is the devil. They believed in 'A' God, but didn't recognise Him when He came. When He was lifted up, for humanity's sins (like Moses's snake), they would know. The signs at His death would reveal who He was, the darkness, the earthquake, the torn veil.
Jesus turned His attention to His Jewish believers now. The unbelievers are out. These faithful Jews would, be free indeed.
Sola fide.
The unbelieving Jews are Abraham's descendants. Via Isaac and Jacob, not Ishmael. If God had been their Father, they would have loved Jesus, not be wishing Him dead. satan was a murderer from the beginning, and a liar.
How do we feel about liars? Bearing in mind who their father is? A friend who lies to us, is our enemy. Pray for our enemies, that they will be delivered from the evil one.
The unbelievers accused Jesus of having a demon. It is dishonourable to even suggest that, dangerous in fact. This sin is unforgivable.
The Father honours The Son, He says 'hear Him', The 'only' Advocate with The Father. Not mary, saints etc.
I AM! That's why they tried to stone Him. Those two words carried only one meaning to the Jews.
Jesus left the feast of booths and went straight to the Mount of Olives. Perhaps to pray all night, as He did, in preparation for His next hurdle.
He didn't go back home. Did His brothers? Did they want to distance themselves now that He was in real trouble? Jesus had younger brothers and sisters. Mary had children after she had given birth to Jesus!
He went to the temple very early in the morning. The Temple was always open. churches are often closed now, except for a couple of hours on a Sunday..if only they opened at night, for the homeless? Just a thought. I wonder 'what would Jesus do'?
A woman 'caught in the act' of adultery was brought to the temple. No wonder she didn't put up a fight. Imagine being caught red-handed? the shame of it.
So, Jesus was not allowed to make a man well on the sabbath, but it was ok to buy and sell 'sin offerings' with dishonest scales, and bring 'unclean' adulterers into the House of the Lord... typical!
He completely ignored them? And wrote on the ground. I've often wondered what He wrote down, some have commented that He was writing all of their sins in the dust, or the Ten Commandments (again).
Jesus's wisdom, even greater than Solomon's. He could stone her! He had every right to, being sinless and all. Yet He didn’t damn the woman
Adulterers, He doesnt condemn you/me/us once we have repented. Do we realise what adultery is? That it comes under the banner of "looking at a woman [person] with lust in their heart"?..we."ALL have sinned and fallen short of The Glory of God". Sexual immorality translates 'pornea' (greek).
Go and sin no more, or from now on. Repentance means 'turning away from', do not touch, do not taste, do not look, 'take every thought captive to obey Christ'. Obedience in this area isn't up for debate. Our reward? He [she] who The Son sets free, will be free indeed.
The elders were convicted of their sin first. Pricked in their hearts, ashamed, they left their stones, and sculked away, but not for long. They hung around, accusing Him.
He knows where He is from, they don't. He is one with The Father, they're not. Their father is the devil. They believed in 'A' God, but didn't recognise Him when He came. When He was lifted up, for humanity's sins (like Moses's snake), they would know. The signs at His death would reveal who He was, the darkness, the earthquake, the torn veil.
Jesus turned His attention to His Jewish believers now. The unbelievers are out. These faithful Jews would, be free indeed.
Sola fide.
The unbelieving Jews are Abraham's descendants. Via Isaac and Jacob, not Ishmael. If God had been their Father, they would have loved Jesus, not be wishing Him dead. satan was a murderer from the beginning, and a liar.
How do we feel about liars? Bearing in mind who their father is? A friend who lies to us, is our enemy. Pray for our enemies, that they will be delivered from the evil one.
The unbelievers accused Jesus of having a demon. It is dishonourable to even suggest that, dangerous in fact. This sin is unforgivable.
The Father honours The Son, He says 'hear Him', The 'only' Advocate with The Father. Not mary, saints etc.
I AM! That's why they tried to stone Him. Those two words carried only one meaning to the Jews.
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John 9
A beggar, blind, since he was born, I mean, could life be any worse?
...he received his sight.
Apparently, the blind beggar was a sinner from birth? Religious folk instinctively think that 'physically' sick people must be sinners, but aren't we all sick, blind, wretched and poor?
Jesus said that they hadn't sinned? ALL have sinned and fallen short of The Glory of God. Jesus's point though, was, that His (God's) work was to be revealed, through this particular person. And The Father's work, had to be done in the day light, Because at nightime, no-one can do any work(s)?
Jesus spat on the ground and made clay to put on his eyes! It's a good job that the beggar was blind, because, if that had been me, I would probably have stopped Jesus from touching me. The blind man knew that Jesus made the clay too, though, probably not His method.
The poor man's neighbours, grassed him up to the pharisees. Typical. That's what you get for allowing somebody to set you free from your infirmities on that particular day. Because Jesus had done another work on the sabbath. According to Exodus 20:10, you were not allowed to work on The Sabbath, BUT, Jesus said that He was Lord of The Sabbath.
This poor beggars' lifestyle and habits would be changed forever. He would be able to live a normal life, find work, provide for himself, and his family. what an amazing transformation he would go through.
I've noticed that the people who knew me best, family, friends, people who I believed cared for me, seemed uncomfortable when my bad habits started to go. People don't like change.
The pharisees (some, not all) stated that Jesus was not from God. Some religious leaders, so preturbed by this miracle, asked the beggar Who'd done it...the church was divided. The pharisees simply couldn't see the bigger picture. that a 'good' thing had happened here. The Kingdom of Heaven was in their midst, but they missed it.
The healed man stated that Jesus was a prophet. How did he know that? Did prophets heal people, even blind people? The Old Testament prophets did! Prophets didn't just give messages back then, like they do today. they performed actions too.
All I seem to hear in churches, is people 'having a word' for other people.
The man's parents tried to distance themselves from their own son! Fearing a backlash from the religious leaders. Shame on them.
The pharisees followed Moses (as they had been taught) they didn't recognise Jesus as "The prophet like as unto Moses". Even today, people struggle to choose between Moses and Jesus...awake O Zion.
The beggar began to preach to the pharisees! Such boldness, what audacity! Particularly as he'd obviously been born in sin. Apparently, God does not hear sinners, yet He healed this blind sinner. He does hear sinners, (if/when they repent) That IS His will.
The healed man was cast out of the synagogue, probably the second best thing that had happened to him that day. Even more, he believed, and worshipped Jesus now, The Son of God (Jesus' reference to Himself). He could see Him, talk to Him, face to face- God, made flesh! Wow, received his sight, and met The Son of God, all in one day. Pressed down, shaken together...
The pharisees were blinded by religion, arrogance, self righteousness and unrepentance-right up there with the lowest of humanity's sin(s).
A beggar, blind, since he was born, I mean, could life be any worse?
...he received his sight.
Apparently, the blind beggar was a sinner from birth? Religious folk instinctively think that 'physically' sick people must be sinners, but aren't we all sick, blind, wretched and poor?
Jesus said that they hadn't sinned? ALL have sinned and fallen short of The Glory of God. Jesus's point though, was, that His (God's) work was to be revealed, through this particular person. And The Father's work, had to be done in the day light, Because at nightime, no-one can do any work(s)?
Jesus spat on the ground and made clay to put on his eyes! It's a good job that the beggar was blind, because, if that had been me, I would probably have stopped Jesus from touching me. The blind man knew that Jesus made the clay too, though, probably not His method.
The poor man's neighbours, grassed him up to the pharisees. Typical. That's what you get for allowing somebody to set you free from your infirmities on that particular day. Because Jesus had done another work on the sabbath. According to Exodus 20:10, you were not allowed to work on The Sabbath, BUT, Jesus said that He was Lord of The Sabbath.
This poor beggars' lifestyle and habits would be changed forever. He would be able to live a normal life, find work, provide for himself, and his family. what an amazing transformation he would go through.
I've noticed that the people who knew me best, family, friends, people who I believed cared for me, seemed uncomfortable when my bad habits started to go. People don't like change.
The pharisees (some, not all) stated that Jesus was not from God. Some religious leaders, so preturbed by this miracle, asked the beggar Who'd done it...the church was divided. The pharisees simply couldn't see the bigger picture. that a 'good' thing had happened here. The Kingdom of Heaven was in their midst, but they missed it.
The healed man stated that Jesus was a prophet. How did he know that? Did prophets heal people, even blind people? The Old Testament prophets did! Prophets didn't just give messages back then, like they do today. they performed actions too.
All I seem to hear in churches, is people 'having a word' for other people.
The man's parents tried to distance themselves from their own son! Fearing a backlash from the religious leaders. Shame on them.
The pharisees followed Moses (as they had been taught) they didn't recognise Jesus as "The prophet like as unto Moses". Even today, people struggle to choose between Moses and Jesus...awake O Zion.
The beggar began to preach to the pharisees! Such boldness, what audacity! Particularly as he'd obviously been born in sin. Apparently, God does not hear sinners, yet He healed this blind sinner. He does hear sinners, (if/when they repent) That IS His will.
The healed man was cast out of the synagogue, probably the second best thing that had happened to him that day. Even more, he believed, and worshipped Jesus now, The Son of God (Jesus' reference to Himself). He could see Him, talk to Him, face to face- God, made flesh! Wow, received his sight, and met The Son of God, all in one day. Pressed down, shaken together...
The pharisees were blinded by religion, arrogance, self righteousness and unrepentance-right up there with the lowest of humanity's sin(s).
John 10
Jesus, still being hounded after the last feast, and His miraculous healing, tried a different tack with the pharisees. The True Shepherd illustration. What does a false shepherd look like? Have we ever come across any? think I may have. I've seen sheep scattered that's for sure.
Thieves and robbers cannot climb up any other way, whether it's religion, the law (the pharisees law). The only way in, is through The Door-Jesus. He enters His own Door, He is The door, and He's The Shepherd?
The doorkeeper opens the door. Jesus is The Door, so who is The doorkeeper? Because Jesus can only be reached through this way. We enter into Jesus, by Jesus (John 14:6). And it has to be granted by The Father.
He leads His OWN sheep, and they/we must follow, but why wouldn't we? Where else can we go? The alternative is unthinkable, just imagine if that door was closed? It was closed to the pharisees. They didn't understand, because they didn't know Him, they didn't, couldn't, wouldn't hear His voice.
Jesus had to repeat the illustration to them again! Even revealing the prize that 'they' would receive-abundant life. Not now, but later. Eternal life v.28. The they being His. His own.
Jesus described Himself as The Good Shepherd (no-one is good, but God). So Who was He saying that He was? Was He saying that He was God? This Good Shepherd gave up His life, for His sheep, His own, then took His life up again. He had the divine power to lay down His life, and resurrect Himself. (from God-Father/H. Spirit).
The pharisees are hirelings, who don't care about the lost sheep. False shepherds, blind guides. Phoney's. Were they in it for the money, or the status, or both? They couldnt even agree among themselves, even having the audacity to say that Jesus was mad (His own family thought He was out of His mind at one point).
But, can a demon open the eyes of the blind? What exactly can a demon do? Can they read our minds? Personally, I don't think so, but one thing I do believe, a demon can plant an evil thought. Sin is birthed in the mind. That's another good reason to be slow to speak. Don't give them an inch.
According to Ellicot, this feast was two months later (v.22) That's how long He'd been hounded by the pharisees. They were relentless. The feast of Hanukkah took place at wintertime. Jesus was under Solomon's porch, to shelter from the cold weather? The same place where Peter would later witness to The Lord's divine power in Acts 3:12.
The Jews demanded that He tell them plainly, if He was The Christ. But He already had! Their evil hearts of unbelief restricted them. They couldn't even agree with each other about this miracle! They were not of His flock, or they would have recognised Him, from their own prophetic Scriptures, if nothing else-Isaiah 61:1 (luke 4:18). He is all through their Old Testament, had they never read?
Jesus said that He 'gives eternal life' to His chosen. There was not even a hint of subordination within The Trinity. He is one with His Father (and His H.S). No-one and no-thing can snatch His own souls away. They will never die.
The pharisees wanted to stone Him for saying that He was The Son of God, for making Himself God. There it was, He had told them straight. He couldn't say it any clearer... it was their scriptures that say "ye are gods" (Psalm 82:6). Believers can be co-heirs with Christ.
The Father had sanctified Him- a direct representation of Himself, The image of The invisible God. (John 1:18)
Believers can be sanctified, consecrated, set apart, because of Him, we can be made perfect, by His Spirit of Holiness. by His 'imputed righteousness'.
Perhaps we're not quite there yet, perhaps you are? If you are, I envy you. Had an experience of it, and i want more. True followers, who hunger and thirst for righteousness, will be filled, changed from glory into glory, in the twinkling of an eye.
According to Ellicott's commentary, 'a Ray of The Divine, can be ours'
Many came to Him at the Jordan and believed. There would have been holy angels rejoicing in Heaven for that.
Jesus, still being hounded after the last feast, and His miraculous healing, tried a different tack with the pharisees. The True Shepherd illustration. What does a false shepherd look like? Have we ever come across any? think I may have. I've seen sheep scattered that's for sure.
Thieves and robbers cannot climb up any other way, whether it's religion, the law (the pharisees law). The only way in, is through The Door-Jesus. He enters His own Door, He is The door, and He's The Shepherd?
The doorkeeper opens the door. Jesus is The Door, so who is The doorkeeper? Because Jesus can only be reached through this way. We enter into Jesus, by Jesus (John 14:6). And it has to be granted by The Father.
He leads His OWN sheep, and they/we must follow, but why wouldn't we? Where else can we go? The alternative is unthinkable, just imagine if that door was closed? It was closed to the pharisees. They didn't understand, because they didn't know Him, they didn't, couldn't, wouldn't hear His voice.
Jesus had to repeat the illustration to them again! Even revealing the prize that 'they' would receive-abundant life. Not now, but later. Eternal life v.28. The they being His. His own.
Jesus described Himself as The Good Shepherd (no-one is good, but God). So Who was He saying that He was? Was He saying that He was God? This Good Shepherd gave up His life, for His sheep, His own, then took His life up again. He had the divine power to lay down His life, and resurrect Himself. (from God-Father/H. Spirit).
The pharisees are hirelings, who don't care about the lost sheep. False shepherds, blind guides. Phoney's. Were they in it for the money, or the status, or both? They couldnt even agree among themselves, even having the audacity to say that Jesus was mad (His own family thought He was out of His mind at one point).
But, can a demon open the eyes of the blind? What exactly can a demon do? Can they read our minds? Personally, I don't think so, but one thing I do believe, a demon can plant an evil thought. Sin is birthed in the mind. That's another good reason to be slow to speak. Don't give them an inch.
According to Ellicot, this feast was two months later (v.22) That's how long He'd been hounded by the pharisees. They were relentless. The feast of Hanukkah took place at wintertime. Jesus was under Solomon's porch, to shelter from the cold weather? The same place where Peter would later witness to The Lord's divine power in Acts 3:12.
The Jews demanded that He tell them plainly, if He was The Christ. But He already had! Their evil hearts of unbelief restricted them. They couldn't even agree with each other about this miracle! They were not of His flock, or they would have recognised Him, from their own prophetic Scriptures, if nothing else-Isaiah 61:1 (luke 4:18). He is all through their Old Testament, had they never read?
Jesus said that He 'gives eternal life' to His chosen. There was not even a hint of subordination within The Trinity. He is one with His Father (and His H.S). No-one and no-thing can snatch His own souls away. They will never die.
The pharisees wanted to stone Him for saying that He was The Son of God, for making Himself God. There it was, He had told them straight. He couldn't say it any clearer... it was their scriptures that say "ye are gods" (Psalm 82:6). Believers can be co-heirs with Christ.
The Father had sanctified Him- a direct representation of Himself, The image of The invisible God. (John 1:18)
Believers can be sanctified, consecrated, set apart, because of Him, we can be made perfect, by His Spirit of Holiness. by His 'imputed righteousness'.
Perhaps we're not quite there yet, perhaps you are? If you are, I envy you. Had an experience of it, and i want more. True followers, who hunger and thirst for righteousness, will be filled, changed from glory into glory, in the twinkling of an eye.
According to Ellicott's commentary, 'a Ray of The Divine, can be ours'
Many came to Him at the Jordan and believed. There would have been holy angels rejoicing in Heaven for that.
John 10
The lost blind pharisees are directly taught by Jesus. (They're so blind, that the mysteries of the kingdom would go over their heads anyway). Jesus' followers know Him, know His voice, and as they belong to Him, they are at liberty to 'go in'.
Make no mistake, religious people (such as some of us were/are) do not belong to Jesus. Religion, at best, produces self-righteousness.
Jesus is The Door (John 14:6), the only way into heaven.
The thief, the Prince of 'this' world, aka satan, the father of lies, and murderer, wants us to die eternally. Jesus wants us to live with Him, forever and ever.
Christian, how much do we care about the lost?
Do we cosy up in relative safety with our priceless Pearl and enjoy it all to ourselves? This is not Christianity.
Ahem-The great commission?
a couple of months later, the pharisees are still stalking Him, asking Him outright, 'are you The Christ'? But He had already told them Who He was! (V25). Then the railing accusation for blasphemy (making Himself equal with God) bringing about their murderous rage again.
Ironically, when all hope seemed lost for those Jews, Peter reminded them, exactly what they had done to their long awaited 'Christ' (acts 3:12).
By the power of The Almighty's Holy Spirit, they were cut to the heart, asking how to be saved.
The truth is, as long as there's breath in our bodies, it is never (ever) too late to repent (and believe) to have our souls saved from eternal torment.
Praise The Lord Almighty for His indescribable gift-of eternal life.
The lost blind pharisees are directly taught by Jesus. (They're so blind, that the mysteries of the kingdom would go over their heads anyway). Jesus' followers know Him, know His voice, and as they belong to Him, they are at liberty to 'go in'.
Make no mistake, religious people (such as some of us were/are) do not belong to Jesus. Religion, at best, produces self-righteousness.
Jesus is The Door (John 14:6), the only way into heaven.
The thief, the Prince of 'this' world, aka satan, the father of lies, and murderer, wants us to die eternally. Jesus wants us to live with Him, forever and ever.
Christian, how much do we care about the lost?
Do we cosy up in relative safety with our priceless Pearl and enjoy it all to ourselves? This is not Christianity.
Ahem-The great commission?
a couple of months later, the pharisees are still stalking Him, asking Him outright, 'are you The Christ'? But He had already told them Who He was! (V25). Then the railing accusation for blasphemy (making Himself equal with God) bringing about their murderous rage again.
Ironically, when all hope seemed lost for those Jews, Peter reminded them, exactly what they had done to their long awaited 'Christ' (acts 3:12).
By the power of The Almighty's Holy Spirit, they were cut to the heart, asking how to be saved.
The truth is, as long as there's breath in our bodies, it is never (ever) too late to repent (and believe) to have our souls saved from eternal torment.
Praise The Lord Almighty for His indescribable gift-of eternal life.