SHARING BREAD

¹ On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, ² and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. ³ When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

⁴ “Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”

⁵ His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

John 2:1-5 (NIV)

In our verses for today Jesus brings honor to the ordinance of marriage – first by gracing it with His presence and second by the performance of His first miracle.  Christ begins His miracles in an obscure little corner of the world, Cana in Galilee at the ordinance and celebration of a marriage.  How desirable for Jesus to be present at the celebration.  All marriages should be so blessed to have His acknowledgment of them and presence of Him – an honor indeed.  His presence elevates the covenant of marriage to its rightful height as two become one flesh – an example of Christ and His bride, the Church.

Mary goes straight to Jesus, the source of all power and strength, when she discovers the problem of the empty wine glass.  It would do us all well to follow Mary’s example and apply ourselves to prayer and humbly present our case to Him as a first rather than last resort.  His response to His dear mother was “the fullness of time” had not yet arrived.  Jesus was in the center of God’s will and about His Father’s business – in His Father’s time – always.  He was not in the business of randomly performing miracles for miracles sake.  There was purpose behind each miracle as well as purpose behind everything He said and everything He did.          

Mary’s response had to be one of her all time greatest – “Do whatever he tells you.”  She herself fleshed this out when told by Gabriel that she would be the mother of the Messiah:

³⁵ The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. ³⁶ Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. ³⁷ For nothing is impossible with God.” ³⁸ ”I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.   Luke 1:35-38 (NIV)

“Do whatever he tells you” – modern day believers are in great need of hearing and applying these five words are we not?  Unfortunately, the god of tolerance coupled with gross Biblical illiteracy has blinded our eyes to Truth leaving us ignorant of what we are even to be obedient to.  We have bought into the relativism of our day.  Statistics prove this out.  There is very little difference in the behavior of those who claim to be Christians and the actions of the world.  This should not be – shame on us!  We are to be different – cities on a hill that cannot be hidden – showing forth good fruit – pointing others to Jesus – bringing God much glory. Indeed, Jesus Himself states:

¹⁵ “If you love me, you will obey what I command.   John 14:15 (NIV)

²¹ Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”   John 14:21 (NIV)

“Love for God and obedience to God are so completely involved in each other that either one of them implies the other too.”   F. F. Bruce

“Faith, as Paul saw it, was a living, flaming thing leading to surrender and obedience to the commandments of Christ.”   A.W. Tozer

A true faith will show forth in obedience.  James tells us:

¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? ¹⁵ Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶ If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? ¹⁷ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. ¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. ¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that–and shudder.   James 2:14-19 (NIV)

“Whenever there is a true faith, it must fix on Jesus Christ alone for salvation; that is its principal act.  This same faith unites to Christ; and where there is union, there must be love; and where there is love, there must be obedience; and where there is obedience, there will be a reward of grace; and when the reward is acknowledged to be of grace, and not of merit, God will have all the glory in time and eternity.”    K. H. Von Bogatzky

“Beware of reasoning about God’s Word – obey It.”  Oswald Chambers

What I glean from this:

• Jesus presence and performance of His first miracle brought honor to the ordinance of marriage.
• “Do whatever He tells you” should be my pursuit and pleasure!   “Every time we resist the slightest temptation, we honor God.  Every time we overcome even the smallest problem by trusting and obeying our Lord Jesus, God is glorified in our lives.  Whenever we choose character over convenience, faithfulness over ease, or honesty over deceit, we bring honor to the Lord Himself.”  Robert J. Morgan

• My obedience flows from my knowledge and love.  “While I regarded God as a tyrant I thought my sin a trifle.  But when I knew Him to be my Father, then I mourned that I could ever have kicked against Him.  When I thought God was hard, I found it easy to sin; but when I found God so kind, so good, so overflowing with compassion, I smote upon my breast to think that I could ever have rebelled against One who loved me so, and sought my good.”  C.H. Spurgeon

SHARING BREAD

⁵⁰ Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that.” ⁵¹ He then added, “I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

John 1:50-51 (NIV)

Jesus’ Words to Nathanael remind me of the verses in 1 Corinthians where the apostle Paul quotes from the prophet Isaiah:

⁹ However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” — ¹⁰ but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.  1 Cor 2:9-10 (NIV)

Nathanael is blown away over Jesus’ knowledge of him yet Jesus confirms to him that this is a mere drop in the bucket compared to what he is going to see.  “You shall see greater things than that” is the promise uttered by our Savior and one, I might add, that, as believers, we can apply to our own lives as well.  Jesus tells His disciples:

¹¹ Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. ¹² I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. ¹³ And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.   John 14:11-13 (NIV)

Every true believer is sealed with the precious Holy Spirit Who equips and empowers them for action in the good works which God has ordained for them to do.  To be a part of God’s work for the kingdom is the highest calling – it is our greatest purpose. God’s desire is to be glorified both in us and through us.  He does this by changing us from the inside out through the power of His Holy Spirit and the surrender of our will – one surrender at a time.  He never forces us to follow Him – becoming like Him – rather, by each surrender to the Holy Spirit’s prompting we become more conformed to His image – we become less and He becomes greater.

“All true knowledge of God is born out of obedience.”  John Calvin 

“The greatness of a man’s power is the measure of his surrender.”  William Booth

“We were made by God and for God, and until we figure that out, life isn’t going to make sense.”  Rick Warren

Not only that, God delights in our calling upon Him so that He may e reveal to us great and unsearchable things that we do not know.  This is exactly what the prophet Jeremiah tells us:

³ ’Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’   Jer 33:3 (NIV)

“Whatever revelations Christ is pleased to make of himself here in this world, he has still greater things than these to make known to them.”  Matthew Henry

Paul exclaims in his blessed Doxology the following:

³³ Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! ³⁴ ”Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” ³⁵ ”Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?”  ³⁶ For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever!  Amen.   Romans 11:33-36 (NIV)

Jesus’ next Words to Nathanael –  “I tell you the truth,” - commanded Nathanael’s fixed attention to what was going to be said as it would be weighty and undoubtedly True.   Regarding heaven being open and angels ascending and descending upon Jesus was an indication that Jesus would now be man’s access to heaven.  Referring to Jacob’s dream in Genesis 28, the stairway placed on earth going to heaven with the angels ascending and descending on it as heaven communicating with earth would now be replaced by Jesus as the divine Communication.  The Son of Man would now be God’s link with the earth.

¹⁰ For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”   Luke 19:10 (NIV)

²⁵ Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. ²⁶ Such a high priest meets our need–one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.  Heb 7:25-26 (NIV)

The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” ⁶⁴ ”Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”   Matt 26:63-64 (NIV)

“When we can do nothing Jesus can do all things; let us enlist His powerful aid upon our side, and all will be well.”  Charles Spurgeon

What I glean from this:

• God has more prepared for me than I could ever imagine.
• I become conformed to the image of Jesus one surrender at a time.
• Jesus is my access to heaven.

SHARING BREAD

⁴⁶ ”Nazareth!  Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.

“Come and see,” said Philip.

⁴⁷ When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.”

⁴⁸ ”How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”

⁴⁹ Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”

John 1:46-49 (NIV)

Words filled with skepticism, criticism and sarcasm flow easily do they not?  Careless, critical, caustic words bring death to the hearer destroying hopes and dreams and relationships in the wake of their destructive path.   Words that bring life which edify, encourage and exhort should mark every believer’s mouth. 

²⁴ Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.   Prov 16:24 (NIV)

James tells us that we are incapable of training that little two inch sword which rests behind our incisors as our words are simply a manifestation of what lies within our hearts (ouch!).       

⁸ but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.   James 3:7-8 (NIV)

This certainly does not mean we give way to verbal assault it means rather we do not begin with the mouth in dealing with the problem.  We go to the source; we must begin with the heart.  Jesus tells us in Scripture:

⁴⁵ The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.    Luke 6:45 (NIV)

Our words matter to our Lord, beware!  I wonder if after being confronted with the Truth Nathanael wished he had not uttered those words?  You can almost feel his sarcastic, biting, fault finding and know it all heartfelt attitudes by just reading his doubting words.  While caution is commendable as our rule as believers is to prove all things by God’s Word, Nathanael’s quick response was not only wrong but rude.  We are to be like the noble Bereans who diligently searched the Scriptures to prove Truth.  Scripture tells us in Acts regarding these noble men:  

¹¹ Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.    Acts 17:11 (NIV)

Yet Jesus, who is aware of the unseen life, knows Nathanael’s heart; and delivers a commendation to him that is just so Jesus!  Fleshing out Romans 12:21 before our eyes, He gently leads Nathanael to the Truth providing for us a wonderful example of how we are to respond to negative verbiage in our own lives:

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.   Romans 12:21 (NIV)

Some people seem to have such a passion for righteousness that they have no room left for compassion for those who have failed.  Charles Allen

Jesus commends Nathanael not to simply flatter him with empty words rather perhaps to focus on his strengths, highlighting and encouraging the good rather than hitting him over the head with a two by four regarding his flaws.  As Jesus alone knows the heart of man, He knew Nathanael to be a modest man who sincerely professed the faith of Israel putting into practice what he professed.  Jesus’ words surprise Nathanael and perhaps take him a bit off guard.  A loving response often does that to people.  We are so accustomed to receiving complaints and criticism that when we come face to face with True love it can be a bit disarming can it not (not to mention charming)?  What a wooing and glorious example Jesus sets for us regarding the critical caustics in our own lives.  The ensuing response Jesus received from Nathanael confirmed how firmly now he believed the Truth in his heart as he freely confessed with his mouth Christ’s prophetic office as Rabbi and His divine nature and mission by calling Him the Son of God and the King of Israel.

“Kindness has converted more sinners than zeal, eloquence, and learning.”  Frederick Faber

What I glean from this:

• I should guard my words by guarding my heart.    ³⁶ But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. ³⁷ For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”   Matt 12:36-37 (NIV)
• My words can speak life or death to my hearer causing good or evil.
• Like Jesus’ example, I am to “overcome evil with good”.

SHARING BREAD

⁴⁰ Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. ⁴¹ The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). ⁴² And he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

⁴³ The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”

⁴⁴ Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. ⁴⁵ Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote–Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

John 1:40-45 (NIV)

Ever had some really good news that you were busting at the seams to share?  The arrival of a new baby, the marriage of a child, a job promotion, an unexpected call or visit by someone we love – you name the good news – whatever it may be – and chances are you will want to share it.  Indeed, in our sharing, our joys are multiplied and our sorrows divided. Perhaps this is what Paul was referring to when he reminds us of our appropriate response to those sharing news with us in Romans 12:

¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.   Romans 12:15 (NIV)

This is exactly what we find in our verses for today.  Both Andrew and Philip having found Jesus had to make it known.  First we discover Andrew making a beeline for his brother Simon (a/k/a/ Peter).  Andrew had spent the day with Jesus and was full of Him and it showed.  He knew there was enough of Christ to fill all and in haste goes straight to his brother.

“He is your friend who pushes you nearer to God.”  Abraham Kuyper

“One man with beliefs is equal to a thousand with only interests.”   John Stuart Mill

Andrew is convinced of the truth of Jesus – those who are convinced cannot keep but sharing especially to those nearest and dearest to them.  Just as Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians:

¹⁴ For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. ¹⁵ And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.   2 Cor 5:14-15 (NIV)

Realizing the gospel was God’s panacea for all of mankind’s spiritual needs, Paul unabashedly proclaims in Romans:

¹⁴ I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. ¹⁵ That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome.  ¹⁶ I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. ¹⁷ For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”   Romans 1:14-17 (NIV)

“True grace hates monopolies, and does not love to eat its morsels alone.”  Matthew Henry

“There is no joy in the world like the joy of bringing one soul to Christ.”   William Barclay

 A heart filled with Jesus will spill out to others both in our words and in our deeds.  So excited over his discovery of the Messiah, Andrew brings Simon to Jesus who quickly gives him a name change from Simon to Peter meaning the rock.  Names were thought of much differently in those days.  Basically, the name was used to indicate the character of the person described by the name or identification with the person bearing the name.  Jesus gives him the name Peter as an indication of his future involvement with the ministry of the gospel. 

Next, we discover Philip being found by the Messiah and subsequently going forth with the good news to Nathanael unable to keep quiet over this wonderful Truth he had now discovered – the One on whom we have so long been waiting and wishing – He has come, He has come, we have found Him!  What an experience of pure joy!

“The great difficulty is to get modern audiences to realize that you are preaching Christianity solely and simply because you happen to think it true; they always suppose you are preaching it because you like it or think it good for society or something of that sort….”   C. S. Lewis

“He who does not live in some degree for others, hardly lives for himself.”   Montaigne

²⁵ A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.   Prov 11:25 (NIV)

What I glean from this:

• The wonderful news of Jesus is exciting to share.
• I have freely received therefore I must freely give.  “Nothing taken for granted; everything received with gratitude; everything passed on with grace.”  G. K. Chesterton
• Jesus is God’s panacea for all of mankind’s spiritual needs. 

SHARING BREAD

³⁵ The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. ³⁶ When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

³⁷ When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. ³⁸ Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”

They said, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?”

³⁹ ”Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”

So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour.

John 1:35-39 (NIV)

Here we have the Baptist standing among two of his disciples in close conversation as he takes note of Jesus passing by.  John, with his intense, steadfast focus on Christ, announces to his hearers:   “Look, the Lamb of God!” The wording here depicts the fullness of God’s perfect timing through the actions of the Baptist and Jesus – John standing as Jesus passes by – for Jesus’ ministry was to begin “passing by” that of the Baptists. 

“He was looking at Jesus; he looked steadfastly, and fixed his eyes on him.  Those who would lead others to Christ must be diligent and frequent in the contemplation of Him themselves.”    Matthew Henry

I am reminded of the command given in Hebrews chapter 12 calling us all to this same steadfast focus on Christ:

¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. ² Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.     Heb 12:1-3 (NIV)

Notice how in verse thirty-seven of our verses for today, the two disciples turned from following John to following Jesus.  How natural that must have seemed for them as John’s teaching to his disciples was the basis for their conduct – remember reader, John’s mantra was:  “He must become greater; I must become less.”  (John 3:30).   They were eager to follow Him just as their teacher was eager to follow Him. 

“Would you follow Christ?  Then follow him in self-denial, in humility, in patience, and in readiness for every good work.  Follow him with a daily cross upon your back, and look to his cross to make your burden light.  Follow him as your Guide and Guard, and learn to see with his eyes, and to trust in his arm for defence.  Follow him as the Friend of sinners, who healeth the broken in heart, and giveth rest to the weary souls, and casteth out none that come into him.  Follow him with faith, resting your whole acceptance with God, and your title to heaven, on his meritorious blood and righteousness.  Lastly, follow him with much prayer.  For, though he is full of compassion, he loves to be much entreated; and when he is determined to give a blessing, you must yet wrestle with him for it.  Thus follow Jesus, and he will lead you to glory.”   K. H. Von Bogatzky  

Observe, also, how Jesus takes notice of the two followers – Christ is always aware of a soul’s first motion towards Him – making sure they comprehend their motive behind the movement to follow Him.  He is constantly getting us to look into our own hearts (ouch! – yet “wounds from a friend can be trusted”!).  He turns and speaks first to them asking them to tell Him what they wanted.  Jesus was always asking that question – “What do you want?”  He asks the same of us.  What is it that we desire – a Teacher, a Ruler, a Lord?  What are our intentions – our motives behind our movement to follow Him?   Some come only to Christ to have all their problems fixed, desirous of a rose colored life with no rain clouds in sight.  Others may come to Him overwhelmed in the fervor of emotion, moved perhaps by songs or sermons or sayings.  Yet others follow Him to go deeper still. Bottom line, since it is only through Him that we are justified before God, do we come to Him in humility with the realization of our need, seeking God’s favor and eternal life?  These disciples coming to Jesus by calling Him Rabbi (Teacher) were desirous to be His students.  The wording used here depicts their eagerness to be better acquainted with Him, adherents, accepting His instruction, making it their rule of conduct.  He says to them “Come” – inviting them to come without delay – and just as He opened blind Bartimaeus’ eyes, He opened their eyes to see.  Jesus is always willing to open the “eyes that are blind” to those who come diligently seeking Him.  There is never a better time than now to come to Jesus.  He tells us in Matthew:

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”   Matt 11:28-30 (NIV)

Paul also gives us this strong exhortation in Second Corinthians:

¹ As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. ² For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.    2 Cor 6:1-2 (NIV)

What I glean from this:

• Jesus must become greater in my life and I must become less.
• My focus is to be upon Him.
• In coming to Jesus, I seek a right standing with a Holy God.  He justifies me with His blood restoring me to a right relationship with the Father.  

SHARING BREAD

³² Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. ³³ I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ ³⁴ I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.”

John 1:32-34 (NIV)

Having been previously told what would happen; the Baptist recognizes and takes note with reflection and acute interest the Holy Spirit descending from heaven manifesting Himself in the form of a dove and abiding on Jesus.   So certain was he of what his ears had been told and now his eyes beheld that John the Baptist exclaimed with great assurance:

³⁴ “I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.”   John 1:34 (NIV)

It must certainly be overwhelming to experience what one has only been told and believed through faith and then subsequently been given the privilege to have sight thereof.  At the end of Job we also find a similar situation where faith becomes sealed with sight and the creature laid low in the presence of his Creator:

¹ Then Job replied to the LORD: ² ”I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. ³ You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?’  Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. ⁴ ”You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ ⁵ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.  ⁶ Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:1-6 (NIV)

I am reminded also of Peter’s response to Jesus’ question to His disciples – “Who do you say I am?” – appearing in the gospel of Matthew:

¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷ Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.   Matt 16:16-17 (NIV)

Take note that, like the Baptist and Job, it was the Father in heaven who revealed this truth to Peter.  Like Peter, it mattered not to John the Baptist that Jesus was not clad in external pomp and grandeur for he was not ashamed to confess freely that Jesus was God’s Son.  The Baptist held a higher honor than the prophets who walked the dust before him in that they spoke of Him to come and he beheld Him already come. 

“And it was necessary that John should thus show them the person, otherwise they could not have believed that one who seemed so insignificant should be he of whom John had spoken such great things.    Matthew Henry

Just as the prophet Isaiah had prophesized:

² He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. ³ He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. ⁴ Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. ⁵ But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.   Isaiah 53:2-5 (NIV)

John tells us that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit. John’s cleansing with water was one thing but the cleansing that would be produced by the Holy Spirit would be totally other.  After His suffering and resurrection Jesus gave convincing proofs to His followers that He was indeed alive and commanded them to wait for the gift of the promised Holy Spirit.  John identified people with himself through the baptism of water now Jesus would join the followers to Himself through the Spirit bestowing upon them His gifts and graces and comforts.  This is a confirmation of the Baptist’s word “I baptize you with water.  But after me comes one who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”  Jesus brings great honor to John’s words by confirming the message of His servant.  Jesus states in Act to His followers:

 ³ After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. ⁴ On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. ⁵ For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”   Acts 1:3-5 (NIV)

What I glean from this:

• John had been given a message and believed then shown providing for me a demonstration of the walk of faith.
• It is the Father who reveals Truth to me.
• Jesus’ appearance was not what the people expected as they were looking for pomp and splendor.  Likewise, as a believer in Jesus I am to be different from the world, not what the world expects, empowered by the Holy Spirit and showing forth the humility and love of Jesus through my words and deeds.      

SHARING BREAD

³⁰ This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ ³¹ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

John 1:30-31 (NIV)

The man had a message and not a message from man rather a message from God.  John the Baptist was privileged to be the revealer of Jesus to God’s people Israel.  When God gives a man a message to proclaim, it burns within him until it is delivered.  I am reminded of the prophet Jeremiah’s words regarding God’s word within him:

⁹ But if I say, “I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones.  I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.   Jer 20:9 (NIV)

Later, God speaks through Jeremiah regarding the penetrating effectiveness of His word compared to the straw like quality of man’s words:

²⁸ Let the prophet who has a dream tell his dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?” declares the LORD. ²⁹ ”Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?   Jer 23:28-29 (NIV)

Interestingly, we should take note of the Baptist’s ways.  Certainly, he did not arrive on the scene to impress man.  Dressed Bohemian style in camel hair and leather, dining on locust and wild honey, ministering in an obscure remote area and proclaiming to the religious elite of the day the following eye-opening, blistering message showed that he neither came to win a popularity contest nor tried to find favor with man.  His approach, if you will, was anything but “seeker friendly”- he certainly mixed sandpaper with velvet by making them aware of their folly and then providing them with a remedy – he constantly pointed to Jesus.  His passion was to awaken the dead and then offer them life:

⁷ But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? ⁸ Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. ⁹ And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. ¹⁰ The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.   Matt 3:7-10 (NIV)

¹⁰ ”What should we do then?” the crowd asked. ¹¹ John answered, “The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.” ¹² Tax collectors also came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” ¹³ ”Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. ¹⁴ Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely–be content with your pay.”   Luke 3:10-14 (NIV)

Yet given all of this, John the Baptist had a large following.  The Truth consistently preached will woo and draw God’s people because it will always accomplish God’s purposes.  Matthew tells us crowds were arriving constantly to be baptized by him:

⁵ People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. ⁶ Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.   Matt 3:5-6 (NIV)

Not too dissimilar to the Baptist, modern day believers in Jesus are likewise called to reveal Him.  This does not mean only missionaries, preachers and Sunday school teachers.  All believers are called to reveal Jesus whether it be in our homes, or in our workplaces, or among our friends or among our enemies.  Basically, wherever God places us is our spheres of influence, we are to show forth Jesus.  We do this by dying to selfish ambitions and vain conceits and allowing the Holy Spirit to manifest Jesus’ life through our words and our actions.  It is an emptying of self, a filling of Him and a spilling out to those we daily encounter.  It would do us well to come to the realization, as the Baptist clearly demonstrated, that it is not about us rather it is all about Jesus. 

How does this show forth in a life?  We are to rid ourselves of anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language choosing rather to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  We are to demonstrate to others the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  We are to bear with one another and forgive grievances just as we have been forgiven.  Furthermore, we are to encompass about all things in love as love binds everything together in perfect unity.  I wonder if this steps on anybody else’s toes or just my own.   So how are we doing in this endeavor?  Tenacity in this area is always inspiring, is it not?  Surrendering our all to the Holy Spirit’s leading and direction in our lives is not easy in that our flesh will fight it every step of the way.  Not only our flesh, the world also gives us a giant daily dosage of “it is all about us”!  When we encounter people walking like Jesus we take note of the difference in their lives.  We find ourselves desiring to be like them. It is God’s desire for us to be conformed to the image of His Son leaving behind us in every encounter we have, the aroma of Christ. 

⁶ Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.   1 John 2:6 (NIV)

What I glean from this:

• John the Baptist came as a revealer of Jesus.
• I, too, am to be a revealer of Christ.
• I reveal Jesus by relinquishing my death grip control of my life and surrender to the Holy Spirit’s leading and control.

SHARING BREAD

²⁹ The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

John 1:29 (NIV)

In love, God abolished the payment for sin and its wretched control over man through the blood of Jesus the Lamb of God.  Through Jesus, God provided the way for the sinner to be spared for those who would believe in His Son.  He was sent by the Father that He might be the Savior of men.  God made Jesus sin for us to save our scrawny necks and to once again restore our relationship with Him allowing us access into His presence through prayer and unshackling our chains from the bondage of sin and its deadly effects.

¹⁸ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. ²¹ God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.   2 Cor 5:18-21 (NIV)

“Sin will yield to nothing less potent than the blood of Him whom God hath set forth as a propitiation.”   C. H. Spurgeon

John the Baptist calls us to behold Him, the precious Lamb who takes away the sin of this depraved world desiring for us to both increase our hatred of sin and our love for our Lord Jesus. Notice that the Baptist uses the word “takes” in lieu of taken as it is a continued action.  He is always taking away sin as we turn to Him in repentance.  The Baptist rightly saw Jesus as the sacrificial Victim that would take away the sin of the world by taking sin upon Him on the cross.  Therefore, sin is no longer to be the habitual way of life for the believer in Christ.  Continued sin is the product of ignorance and blindness towards God and all He has done for us.  It clearly demonstrates our lack of love and appreciation for Him for even men do not think highly of a love that never shows itself in action.

⁵ But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. ⁶ No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.    1 John 3:5-6 (NIV)

For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common?  Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?   2 Cor 6:14 (NIV)

“He that washes himself continually in the blood of Christ does not make light of sin, but detests it above all things; for what can be more abominable than sin, since it cannot be taken away but by the blood of the Son of God!  This humbles true believers, and makes them watch against sin; and if it has not the same effect on thee, reader, matters are not right with thy soul; for, talking of the blood of the Lamb, and yet trifling with sin, cannot agree together, but show a false or a deceived heart.”    K. H. Von Bogatzky

“Sin is the dare of God’s justice, the rape of His mercy, the jeer of His patience, the slight of His power, and the contempt of His love.”  John Bunyan

² He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.   1 John 2:2 (NIV)

“So adequate is Jesus Christ as God’s atoning Sacrifice that the efficacy of His work extends not merely to the sins of Christians themselves, but also to the sins of the whole world. In saying this, John was clearly affirming the view that Christ genuinely died for everyone (cf. 2 Cor. 5:14-15, 19; Heb. 2:9).    Bible Knowledge Commentary

 ¹⁶ ”For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.   John 3:16-17 (NIV)

²⁴ He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. ²⁵ For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.   1 Peter 2:24-25 (NIV)

“The genius of Christianity takes the words of Paul ‘who gave himself for our sins’ as true and efficacious. We are not to look upon our sins as insignificant trifles. On the other hand, we are not to regard them as so terrible that we must despair. Learn to believe that Christ was given not for picayune (petty) and imaginary transgressions, but for mountainous sins; not for one or two, but for all; not for sins that can be discarded, but for sins that are stubbornly ingrained.”   Martin Luther

What I glean from this:

• Jesus came to take away my sin and not only mine but the sin of the whole world.
• My obedience demonstrates my love and appreciation for what He did for me.
• Jesus’ blood covers all sin.

SHARING BREAD

²⁴ Now some Pharisees who had been sent ²⁵ questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

²⁶ ”I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. ²⁷ He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

²⁸ This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

John 1:24-28 (NIV)

Humility is certainly an endearing and disarming character trait is it not?  True humility such as John the Baptist demonstrates in our verses for today attracts attention and points others to a higher way.  Standing in familiar territory on the other side of the Jordan where the Baptist was baptizing, among throngs of people who flocked to him, he demonstrates to us the beginnings of becoming less while Jesus was becoming more.  His actions provide for us a wonderful example of “dying to self”.  Not easy to do then, certainly not easy to do now yet that is what Jesus calls every one of His followers to do:

²³ Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. ²⁴ For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. ²⁵ What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?   Luke 9:23-25 (NIV)

Jesus’ Words are worth contemplating regarding our own lives as well.  Just as a side note, this same command appears in all four gospels – repetition in Scripture red flags us to take heed.

“A primary qualification for serving God with any amount of success, and for doing God’s work well and triumphantly, is a sense of our own weakness.  When God’s warrior marches forth to battle, strong in his own might, when he boasts, ‘I know that I shall conquer, my own right arm and my conquering sword shall get unto me the victory’, defeat is not far distant.  God will not go forth with that man who marches in his own strength.  He who reckoneth on victory thus has reckoned wrongly, for ‘it is not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts’.  They who go forth to fight, boasting of their prowess, shall return with their gay banners trailed in the dust, and their armour stained with disgrace.  Those who serve God must serve Him in His own way, and in His strength, or He will never accept their service.  That which man doth, unaided by divine strength, God can never own.  The mere fruits of the earth He casteth away; He will only reap that corn, the seed of which was sown from heaven, watered by grace, and ripened by the sun of divine love.  God will empty out all that thou hast before He will put His own into thee; He will first clean out the granaries before He will fill them with the finest of the wheat……Your emptiness is but the preparation for your being filled, and your casting down is but the making ready for your lifting up.”   C. H. Spurgeon   

Have you ever noticed how often a braggart with at least a half of a wit will tone down his effusive boasting when in the presence of the truly humble?  Boasting exhibits the insecurity in our lives while true humility demonstrates our security and standing in Christ.  We are told in Scripture that God will oppose the proud but give grace upon grace to the humble:

⁵ Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”   1 Peter 5:5 (NIV)

Indeed, God sets Himself against the arrogant yet grants favor and acceptance to the humble of heart.  The wording here shows that we are to “tie on oneself as an apron” the rare jewel of humility knowing full well that it is only by God’s hand by which we are made recipients.  Paul tells us in First Corinthians:

⁷ For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?   1 Cor 4:7 (NIV)

We must be particularly aware if bestowed with strength or power or possessions or authority lest our hearts become lifted up to our own destruction.  Remembering always that pride is an insidious monster often grabbing hold of us unaware with its long tentacles and strangling the very Life out from us. We find in Isaiah:

¹ This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.  Where is the house you will build for me?  Where will my resting place be?  ² Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?”  declares the LORD. “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.”   Isaiah 66:1-2 (NIV)

If one desires to be “esteemed by God” the haughty eyes have to go.  Indeed, Proverbs 6:16-19 lists the seven things the Lord hates and that are detestable to Him – the number one position went to “haughty eyes”.  God detests pride just as God detests our lack of mercy and forgiveness.

“I have never met a person I could despair of, or lose all hope for, after discerning what lies in me apart from the grace of God.”   Oswald Chambers

“Such as are haughty and self-conceited, rush against the mighty hand of God, and destroy themselves; but those that are humbled under it, will be protected by the same.  Whatever knowledge or skill we may obtain in the schools of human learning, the Scripture does not yet allow us to be truly wise, but calls us blind and mere worldly students, till we learn to be poor in spirit, lowly in heart, and dead to the world.  Therefore, the more a man dies to this world, the more is he enlightened.”    K. H. Von Bogatzky

What I glean from this:

• True humility is not only endearing and disarming but necessary.
• My boasting exhibits my insecurity contrarily my true humility demonstrates my security and standing in Christ.
• I am to clothe myself with the rare jewel of humility, tying it on, so to speak, as an apron.

SHARING BREAD

²² Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

²³ John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”

John 1:22-23 (NIV)

Quoting from Isaiah, John the Baptist gives his job description to the questioning Jewish leaders of the day who demanded an explanation about himself.  These leaders were basically sent to get to the bottom of the Baptist’s actions.  Isaiah tells us:

³ A voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.   Isaiah 40:3 (NIV)

The word translated “voice” in verse 23of our verses for today  is from the Greek word “Phone” meaning a sound or tone made or given forth; a thunderous trumpet cry of a man used here in delivering God’s message.  Of this word Plutarch states:

“That which brings light upon that which is thought of in the mind.”   Plutarch

John the Baptist was sent to bring light to that which was on God’s mind and heart – a clarion call drawing the people back to Him.  Malachi 3:1 also prophesizes a messenger to be sent by God to prepare the way which Jesus quoted in Matthew as being fulfilled in John the Baptist:

¹⁰ This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’   Matt 11:10 (NIV)

True prophets were “voices” in that their messages were from God – sent by Him to call the people back to Him.  God desires a proper relationship with all people.  His “voice” is constant – as author Margaret Feinberg aptly terms it – “the Sacred echo”.  In her wonderful book that bears that title she states:

“Throughout Scripture God speaks through kings and queens, princes and prophets, poets and pilgrims.  He speaks through weather patterns, barnyard animals, and even the stars in the sky.  God is not only creative, but He is persistent in getting our attention and communicating with us.”   Margaret Feinberg

Just as God called out to Adam and Eve after the fall, He persistently calls to us all:

⁹ But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?”   Gen 3:9 (NIV)

Our original parents hid from God because of their sin and we continue on with that unfortunate tradition –   wallowing in our dirt in lieu of running to Him in repentance.  God’s great desire is to get us out of wandering in the desert and bring us into the fullness of a right relationship with Him.  There is consistent dryness that accompanies a broken relationship with the Father.

“The voice of God is a friendly voice.  No one need fear to listen to it unless he has already made up his mind to resist it.”   A.W. Tozer

“Serious and sincere repentance routes us back into God’s will.”  Robert J. Morgan

God gets my attention to draw me to Him.  The greatest demonstration of love toward man was about to be accomplished and God wanted His people ready – “prepare the way” – “make straight in the wilderness”.  Are we not to be about the same in anticipation of His return?  Are we not to watch our life and doctrine closely; turn to God for cleansing; listen to His persistent love call; be as prepared for His return as His desire for His people to be prepared for His first advent?  This is not a trite matter rather a hugely important one.  Jesus warns us in Matthew:

⁴² ”Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. ⁴³ But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. ⁴⁴ So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.   Matt 24:42-44 (NIV)

If there is one doctrine I have preached more than another, it is the doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints even to the end.    Charles Spurgeon        

Believe me, we want to be the faithful and wise servants that are ready on His return – even the wise virgins fell asleep while the bridegroom tarried.  It matters greatly how we live our lives, both for our benefit now and for His ultimate return.

“Let this be a warning to me, O Lord.  Set thou a guard before my eyes, ears, and other faculties, lest the world again should enter through these avenues of the heart:  if the spark be not speedily extinguished, it will soon break out into a flame:  thus sin is of a progressive nature, and its venom spreads very quickly and very wide, unless it be stopped and opposed in time.  Watch, therefore, over this unsteady heart of mine, O thou Keeper of Israel; that as soon as it begins to wander from thee, I may be alarmed to flee from sin as from a serpent.  Give me grace to look upon every hour as my last; so that being ever wisely upon my guard I may meet thee with joy when my time is run out, whenever it shall please thee to call me hence.”   K. H. Von Bogatzky

What I glean from this:

• The Baptist was sent by God as a trumpet call to His people for repentance.
•  God’s voice is constantly calling me.
• It matters how I live my life.