People who do not Listen to The Word and Accept Him: Jesus in John 1:9-13

 

In John 1:9-13, the apostle John highlights the tension between Jesus, the true light, and the world's response to Him. These verses depict a profound and somewhat harsh reality about how people react to Jesus and His message.

Here's the passage (NIV):

John 1:9-13

 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.

 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.

 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

 Harsh Realities John Depicts

 Rejection of the Creator (v.10)

 Despite being the Creator of the world, Jesus was not recognized by the world He made. This rejection highlights humanity's spiritual blindness and alienation from God.

 Rejection by His Own People (v.11)

 Jesus came specifically to His own people, the Jewish nation, yet many did not receive Him. This rejection by His own emphasizes the tragedy of unbelief among those who should have been most prepared to accept Him.

 Spiritual Blindness and Unbelief

 The "light" (Jesus) illuminates truth, but not everyone chooses to see it. This reflects the condition of the human heart — hardened by sin and unwilling to accept God’s revelation, even when it's right before them.

 The Gift of Divine Adoption (vv.12-13)

 Despite widespread rejection, there is hope. John shifts the focus to those who do receive Jesus, underscoring the grace and privilege of becoming children of God. This transformation is not based on lineage, human will, or effort, but on divine intervention and grace.

John portrays the reality that Jesus, the true light, was largely rejected by the world He created, including by His own people. This rejection is a harsh reminder of humanity’s tendency to resist divine truth, yet those who do receive Jesus are given the profound gift of becoming God's children.

The Word Made Flesh: John 1:1-3,14 Identify Jesus and is the Most Important Truth

 

John 1:1–3 and 14 are foundational verses in the Bible that speak to the identity and role of Jesus Christ in creation and His incarnation.

John 1:1–3 (ESV):

 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made."

These verses declare that Jesus, referred to here as "the Word" (Greek: Logos), was with God from the beginning and that He is, in fact, God. Jesus is portrayed as eternal, existing before creation, and the agent through whom everything was made. Nothing in creation exists apart from Him.

 John 1:14 (ESV):

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

Verse 14 reveals the most profound act: the eternal Word, Jesus, took on human flesh and lived among humanity. This is the doctrine of the Incarnation—God becoming fully human while remaining fully God. In doing so, He displayed the glory of God in a form that humans could see, and His life was characterized by grace and truth.

 Why is this the most important truth?

It reveals who Jesus is. These verses establish the deity of Christ. He is not just a prophet or teacher; He is God Himself who came in the flesh. Understanding this is key to the Christian faith.

The Incarnation bridges the gap between God and humanity. Jesus becoming human means He can truly empathize with human weaknesses, yet without sin. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He provides a way for humans to be reconciled to God.

Salvation depends on this truth. If Jesus were not both fully God and fully human, He could not provide salvation. Only God has the power to save, and only a perfect, sinless human could stand in our place to bear the penalty for sin. This makes the truth of His divinity and humanity essential for salvation.

It demonstrates God’s love. The fact that God became flesh to live among us and ultimately die for our sins shows the depth of His love and His desire to redeem us. This truth is the foundation of the gospel message.

John 1:1–3, 14 is essential because it declares the divine nature of Jesus and His mission to bring salvation to humanity—a truth upon which the entire Christian faith stands.

Jesus, Logos, and The Word: John 1:1-5

 

John 1:1–5 is a profound passage that introduces the nature of Jesus Christ as the "Word" (Logos in Greek) and His relationship with God, creation, and humanity. 

 The Eternal Nature of Jesus (The Word)

 Verse 1: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

 This emphasizes that Jesus (the Word) existed before time began, coexisting with God. He is not a created being but eternal, just as God is eternal. 

 The Word is identified with God, revealing Jesus' divine nature.

 Jesus' Role in Creation

 Verse 3: "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made."

 Jesus, as the Word, is the agent through whom all creation came into being. This highlights His omnipotence and role as Creator alongside God the Father.

 Everything in existence owes its origin to Him, underscoring His sovereignty over all things.

 Jesus as the Source of Life and Light

 Verse 4: "In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind."

 Jesus is the source of both physical and spiritual life. His life brings light—truth, righteousness, and understanding—to humanity.

 The "light" symbolizes salvation and the revelation of God's truth, which Jesus brings to the world.

 Jesus Overcoming Darkness

 Verse 5: "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

 This verse reveals Jesus’ triumph over evil, sin, and death. Darkness represents sin and the fallen state of the world, but Jesus, the light, shines through and is never overcome by it.

 The imagery of light overcoming darkness speaks to the hope and victory that Jesus offers in the face of spiritual darkness and opposition.

These verses reveal that Jesus is eternal, divine, the Creator, the source of all life and light, and victorious over sin and evil. He is central to God's revelation to humanity and the key to spiritual life and salvation.

More: Themes in the Gospel of John, Lesson 3

Sabbath School Lesson 3 - The Backstory: The Prologue

 

Themes in the Gospel of John

Sabbath School Lesson 3

The Back Story: The Prologue

You may use this for presenting and studying the current Sabbath School Lesson.

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> Download the notes for Lesson 3 video here.

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> Download  Themes in the Gospel of John (4th  qtr) Sabbath School Lessons Here

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The Raising of Lazarus and Jesus' Claim of being The Resurrection and The Life: John 11:38-44

 

The raising of Lazarus in John 11:38–44 powerfully illustrates Jesus’ declaration that He is “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25) because it demonstrates His authority over death and His ability to grant life. Here's how this miracle reveals Jesus in that role.

Lazarus had been dead for four days, which, in the cultural and biological understanding of the time, meant his body had already started to decompose. Despite this, Jesus commands Lazarus to rise from the dead. Only someone with power over life and death could perform such a miracle. Jesus shows that He can restore life even when death seems final.

The miracle of Lazarus points forward to Jesus’ own resurrection. Just as Jesus brought Lazarus back to life, He would rise from the dead after His own crucifixion. This miracle serves as a tangible demonstration of the resurrection power Jesus claims to have, validating His future promise of eternal life for believers.

By proclaiming, “I am the resurrection and the life,” Jesus is not just claiming that He can bring people back to life but that He is the very source of life itself. The raising of Lazarus shows that through Jesus, there is not only physical life but also the promise of eternal life.

Jesus tells Martha, Lazarus' sister, “Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live” (John 11:25). The miracle of Lazarus’ resurrection reinforces that those who believe in Jesus will not experience eternal death, as He can give them everlasting life.

The miracle not only shows Jesus' power over death but also serves as a sign of the eternal life He offers to all who believe in Him.

Why Doug Batchelor is a Hypocrate

 

It should come as now surprise that none other than Doug Batchelor is hypocrite. Most of these big-name ministry people are. They love quoting The Bible to make their Pharisaical points, pointing out how others should behave, dress, live, and eat.

One of his favorite topics is the wearing of jewelry. He talks piously as he points out scriptures like:

1 Timothy 2:9 (NIV) "I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,"

Pastor Batchelor then goes on a diatribe of drivel as to how the wearing of gold is sinful and adornment comes from within,  extolling the virtues of plain clothes, no makeup, no jewelry.

Like all these wannabe-Pharisees, who think it's their business to make up rules for others to follow, they themselves ignore Biblical teaching in their own lives. Let's quote Jesus on this one:

Matthew 23:1-3 (NIV)

"Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach."

Take a look above at a recent photo of Doug Batchelor's wife, taken recently at his Prophecy Odyssey series in New York.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y68Z_P3vxQ

Hmmm. It looks like good ol' Pastor Doug missed some things that Paul wrote

1 Corinthians 11:6 (NIV)

"For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head."

1 Corinthians 11:14-15 (NIV)

"Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering."

1 Timothy 2:9 (NIV)

"I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,"

No wonder our churches are failing to bring new members, and younger ones are moving on. We keep preaching rules that even we don't follow.

Before anyone talks about others, they should look within. In fact, what good does any of this do at an evangelism series? Alienate people? Our job is to bring people to Jesus on the grace of Jesus and His death. Not on our perfection following one man's rules and regulations.

We can do better than this.

*Image copied under Fair Use: U.S. Copyright Office Fair Use Index

John 9:17-34 - The Pharisees question the blind man who was healed.

 

In John 9:17-34, the Pharisees, the Jewish religious leaders, interrogate the man who had been born blind after Jesus healed him. Here’s a summary of the key questions they asked and how the formerly blind man responded.

 "What do you say about him (Jesus), since he opened your eyes?" (v. 17)  The man replied, "He is a prophet."  

   This was a bold statement, acknowledging Jesus as someone sent by God, which contrasted with the leaders' skepticism.

 "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?" (v. 19) The parents confirmed, "We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. But how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes."  

   Fearing the Jewish leaders, the parents avoided answering directly about Jesus, pointing the leaders back to their son.

"What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" (v. 26) The man grew frustrated with their persistent questioning and replied, "I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?"  

   This response is somewhat sarcastic and defensive, hinting that the man had grown tired of the leaders' refusal to believe in Jesus' miracle.

 The leaders accused Jesus of being a sinner, to which the man responded.

The man countered, "Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see."  

He simply testified to the miracle, regardless of the leaders’ theological claims.

The leaders became angry and said, "You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?" (v. 34), and then they cast him out of the synagogue.  

This passage illustrates the tension between the religious leaders, who were skeptical and unwilling to accept Jesus, and the healed man, who was increasingly bold in affirming Jesus' role in his healing.