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He Left Judaea
John 4:1,3, 'When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized disciples more than John...He left Judaea.'
MT. 4:12; MK. 1:14; JN. 4:1-3
This is an interesting passage of scripture. On the surface, it might look like Jesus was running from a fight. Now that John the Baptist was out of the way (he had been imprisoned), it was inevitable that the Pharisees would attack Jesus.
One thing we can be sure of is that there was no fear on our Lord's part. On other occasions, He demonstrated that no one could do anything to Him if He didn't allow it (Lk. 4:29-30; Jn. 7:30, 44-46; 8:20, 59; 10:39).
Therefore we can assume that Jesus left because He knew it was God's will. On another...
God's Idea Of Greatness
Luke 3:20, '....he shut up John in prison.'
MT. 4:12; MK. 1:14, 17-18; LK. 3:19-20; JN. 4:1-3
John spent 30 years preparing for a six month ministry, followed by one and a half years in prison before he was beheaded. Many people would not consider his life very successful, yet Jesus said John was the greatest man who was ever born (Mt. 11:11).
John's greatness didn't lie in his own success, but in the success of another. John stirred up the hearts of an entire nation in expectancy of their Messiah. The ministry of Jesus owed much of its success to the work of John. John had prepared a people to meet their God (Mal. 3:1).
In our celebrity conscious society, few people want to be the backup singer or...
Humility Before Honor
John 3:30, 'He must increase, but I [must] decrease.'
JOHN 3:22-36
John the Baptist had spent 30 years in preparation for his ministry. He didn't enjoy the normal benefits of childhood or adolescence. He lived out in the deserts separated unto God instead (Lk. 1:80).
For approximately six months, he enjoyed success in his ministry like no other man ever had. He started preaching in the wilderness--not the centers of commerce. Still the multitudes flocked to him. He became the most influential man in Israel and even shot the hearts of Roman rulers. Everything was going John's way.
Then he baptized Jesus and proclaimed Him as the long-awaited Messiah (Mt. 3:13-17; Jn. 1:29). From that time on, the...
Eternal Life--a Quality Of Life
John 3:16, 'For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.'
JOHN 3:1-21
Most people focus on the part of this verse that promises us we won't perish. Although it's certainly a wonderful promise, it is not the focus of this verse. The primary purpose of Jesus' coming to this earth was not forgiveness of sins, but to give us eternal life.
Sin separated us from God so Jesus dealt with sin. However, His payment for sin was just a step toward His ultiimate purpose of reconciling man to God. If someone believes that Jesus died for their sins but doesn't go on to enter into the close fellowship with God that Jesus...
ARE YOUR NEEDS BEING MET? THEY COULD BE IF YOU WOULD JUST LET JESUS SUPPLY THEM. HE LOVES US AND WANTS TO PROVIDE FOR US. LOOK WHAT HE SAYS IN MATTHEW 6:26 "Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?" PHILIPPIANS 4:19 TELLS US WHAT GOD WILL DO (But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.) THIS MAKES IT PRETTY CLEAR IF YOU WILL JUST TRUST HIM AND DO HIS WILL.
The Born Again Experience
John 3:10, 'Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?'
JOHN 3:1-21
The Greek word translated 'master' here actually means, 'an instructor, doctor, teacher'. Nicodemus was a very educated man in religious matters, yet he didn't have the slightest idea what Jesus was talking about.
Nicodemus' relationship with God had all been academic. He knew a lot about God, but he didn't know God personally. Jesus had a union with God that was unique and Nicodemus was intrigued. God was Jesus' father. This was foreign to Nicodemus.
Jesus had not been educated by man and yet He knew God in a way that the theologians and seminary graduates of His day didn't. He...
He Uses The Usable
John 2:24, 'But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all [men].'
JOHN 2:18-25
This was the first time Jesus had ministered in Jerusalem. Multitudes believed on Him when they saw the miracles He performed (v. 23). This looked like a perfect opportunity for Jesus to take these people and use them to spread the news far and wide that He was the Christ. Instead Jesus did just the opposite. He didn't want people proclaiming His gospel in their own ability.
This reveals an attitude of Jesus which is lacking among many Christians today. Jesus is more concerned with the quality of ministry than the quantity of ministry. In...