The Gospel of John is particularly soul stirring as we read it.  We learn much detailed information about parts of the ministry of our Lord, filling some of the ‘gaps’ in the other gospels. We learn that the centre of opposition to Jesus was in Jerusalem and this began quite early, see Ch. 5 v.1,18.  

Today’s chapter (7) begins by telling us; “after this Jesus went about in Galilee.  He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him.”  In Mark we are told how “the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, ‘He is possessed by Beelzebul …” [3 v.22]  So, because he spent much of his time in Galilee, the growing opposition went out to try to sow seeds of opposition to him there – and anywhere else he went.

Today we learn that Jesus returned to Jerusalem in the middle of the feast “and began teaching” and they “marvelled” at his teaching saying, “How is it that this man has learning when he has never studied?” [v.15]  This means, he never did like Paul did, who was “educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law” [Acts 22 v.3] 

To this Jesus answers, “My teaching is not mine but his who sent me.  If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am teaching on my own authority.” [v.16,17] How would they know?  Through having a good knowledge of the scriptures.  

    We can make a comparison here with Christianity today where Churches have seminaries to train people for the ministry.  Yet, in all our own contact with those so trained it becomes apparent that actual Bible reading forms only a minor part of their training: they are unfamiliar with many parts of it. The end of today’s chapter shows that the Jewish leaders argued that as “no prophet arises from Galilee” [v.52] they rejected him and all that he taught and the miracles he did.   But two of what we call ‘minor’ prophets, Nahum and Jonah, had come from that area – and in any case to reason that God’s prophets had to come from particular places was human thinking.  Today, just as much as in those days, if we are really serious about knowing God and the real truth about the divine message of salvation we must read His word regularly and act upon what we read after we have digested it carefully to get a correct understanding.
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 In the book of Numbers we now read of Moses giving his final instructions to the people as the LORD directed him. The people had completed their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, all the unfaithful had died and now their children under the leadership of faithful Joshua together with Caleb and the faithful Levites would cross the Jordan to enter the promised land.  It occurred to us that there is a parallel in this to what is to soon occur when Christ establishes his world-wide kingdom. Think about this.  The LORD tells Moses as they are “by the Jordan at Jericho, saying, ‘Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you pass over the Jordan …  then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you and destroy all their figured stones and destroy all their metal images and demolish all their high places.” [Ch. 33 v.50-52]

Similarly, when God sends Jesus back to this earth it will be a time of “punishing the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity” [Isaiah 13 v.11], but it will also surely be a time of removing all the things that people “worship” today!  All the things which are the equivalent of what the Canaanites had built and worshipped! Some of the things that will no longer exist are obvious; the Casinos and gaming houses for example.  If TV, DVDs etc are to continue to be available, there will be a huge purging of the godless things in them that pander to human lust. 

Jesus said, “The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin” [Matt. 13 v.41]. When the people of Israel entered the promised land initially they were full of zeal and destroyed cities like Jericho, but they failed to complete the work and so the warning of Moses we read today came true.  That which they “let remain shall be as barbs and thorns in your side and they shall trouble you” [v.55].

It is obvious, with Christ in control as the King of the world, this will not happen in his kingdom.  We need to make sure we develop a mindset now that will welcome and fully appreciate a cleansed earth. Pollution will be removed from the physical earth and also from the minds of the people.  Concerning the future Jerusalem God told Jeremiah, “I will bring to it health and healing … this city shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth” [Ch.33 v.6,9]  How wonderful to be there! 

Who did Jesus say the above words to – and why?   The detail of the discussions of Jesus in the Gospel of John make marvellous reading because they provoke us to think very deeply. This is a special benefit of the Apostle’s possession of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, for John later tells us that Jesus had said that the Spirit “will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” [14 v.26] 

In today’s chapter (5) Jesus encounters the Jews in the temple. They appeared, to some extent, to be seeking while at the same time their opposition to him was starting to build up.  Jesus reminds them of their attitude and interest in John the Baptist. “You sent to John … He was a burning and a shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for awhile in his light.” [v.33,35]   They were looking for the Messiah, “the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John” [Luke 3 v.15]   These Jews went for that reason, but they did not really know what they were looking for, they had read the Scriptures with one eye closed!  And does that not happen today!  Did they really believe in God?   Today, many still believe there is a God, but if you say, ‘Do you believe IN God?’ what do they say?  Many do not really know what you mean! 

Jesus words’ to these Jews provoke our thoughts on this most vital question, he tells them, “His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, and you do not have his word abiding in you”. [v.37,38] God’s word must “abide” – must come alive in our minds. Now the climax to the Master’s words! “I know that you do not have the love of God within you.” [v.42]  Their attitude proved this, Jesus had said, “you refuse to come to me that you may have life. I do not receive glory (honour) from people.” [v.41,42] See the meaning of that last comment? Their minds were centred on the here and now, human relationships and the potential for prestige; this is why the love of God was not within them.  Tragic really – and tragedy was to follow.  So we ask ourselves – is the love of God really within us? 

 Today, we have one of the best known verses in the Bible in our reading in John 3.  But sometimes verses which are well known can lose their power to influence our thinking.  It is verse 16 that is well known, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” 

We have sometimes deliberately misquoted this by leaving out the words, ‘not perish, but’ and those listening have usually struggled to think of what words we have omitted.  Jesus is saying what the alternative is – if we fail to believe. The ESV footnote suggests a slightly different way of translating this verse: “For this is how God loved the world …” See the point?  He “gave his only Son” to show his love – and the challenge to us is whether we will respond to his action in the sacrifice that Jesus made on the Cross. 

We all know that you show you believe in something by what you do, by the difference it makes to your life.  John goes on to write, “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God,” he then adds, “and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest their deeds should be exposed.” [v.18-20]

The world today is overflowing with examples of this. We will read in Ch.8 that Jesus said, “whoever commits sin is a slave of sin” [v.34] and today the world is full of willing slaves.   Looking back at today’s chapter we see that Jesus also said, “He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way.” [v31]     There is no middle way – and why should there be!?  Let’s all make a greater effort to respond to the love of God in sending his Son into the world to light up the darkness, and realize more fully the ultimate meaninglessness of a life that lacks the eternal purpose that God offers to us.

The above is quoted from Proverbs 20 v.11. It then adds, “whether his conduct is pure and upright.”  It is saying that what we actually do – proves what we are really like – far more than by what we say.  It is known that we “teach” by example, which is why visual aids have become so much part of teaching.  Verse 7 tells us, “The righteous walks in his integrity – blessed are his children after him”.   They have been taught by example as well as words.

Another interesting proverb is “The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out” [v.5].  It causes us to ask – did we really think through our purpose in what we have done or are doing?  If we really are a person who considers our ways, a person who thinks carefully about all our intentions, then we will “draw it out” – like one who draws water from a well – but this takes time and effort.

Now ponder what verse 6 means.  “Many a man (person) proclaims his (or her) own steadfast love, but a faithful man (person) who can find?”  It is telling us that what we say, what we declare to be our motives, is sometimes not entirely correct; although it is not a real lie, because there is an element of truth in it.  How often do we say things “with reservation?”   

Sometimes statements are made, and agreement requested on some matter “without reservation.”    This reflects a sad state of affairs; it means we are acknowledging that so often we state our understanding or attitude about a matter, not fully meaning what we say.  This should not be so among those who believe they are or aim to be children of God, as Paul wrote, “we are children of God … then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ provided … “ [Romans 8 v.16,17]  Look up the full quotation.  

Do fully faithful, truthful people exist?  “Even a child makes himself known by his acts ” – If we start when we are children aiming to do this, there is a good chance of us being that kind of person when we become adults.

 The 3^rd & 4^th chapters of Philippians contain many thoughts for deep spiritual meditation – if we will read them in the right frame of mind.  There are also a good number of verses in Proverbs (Ch.19) today which contain principles which are very valuable in helping us meet the challenges of life in today’s world.  They all link in with our need for “the peace of God” in a world which knows no peace.

We especially noted these Proverbs.  “Good sense makes one slow to anger and it is his (or her) glory to overlook an offense.” [v.11]  “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future” [v.20]  “Many are the plans in the mind of a man (or woman), but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.” [v.21]  “reprove a man of understanding and he will gain knowledge” [v.25] “Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge” [v17], to which we can add, cease to read the Bible and you will be engulfed in worldly pursuits and ambitions – which while not necessarily bad – are simply an end in themselves.

Paul’s words are parallel to some of these but more embracing of eternity, “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ … that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” [Ch. 3 v.8,11]   That “any means possible” must include “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” and which “will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” [Ch.4 v.7]  A component of that “peace” is rejoicing, but it is a spiritual rejoicing.  Paul stresses this, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice … the Lord is at hand, do not be anxious about anything.” [v.5,6]  Does that sound impossible?  So it is, but then again, we emphasize the words, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts”

 Paul’s letter to the Philippians is the most positive of all his letters because there were fewer problems in Philippi than other places.  He asks them to “complete my joy by being of the same mind … being in full accord … do nothing from rivalry and conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” [Ch.2 v.2,3] 

This is an attitude that is completely different to normal human attitudes, the worst examples of which we see in political circles, but sadly, some measure of it also occurs amongst among those who claim the name of Christ. We read a few days ago of Paul’s lament, “I am in the anguish of childbirth until Christ be formed in you!” [Gal 4 v.19]. Christ is only formed in us when we really become like Christ with a submissive attitude, this is the point he makes in this chapter in Philippians. 

Paul next points out the affect that Christ-likeness should have, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” [v.4] He gives Christ as the example. Jesus grew up knowing that God was his father, he showed this as a 12 year old in the temple (Luke 2 v.49) but, says Paul, he “did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing … he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross.” [v.6-8] 

It was because of this wonderful spirit of submission, which is an example to us, that Paul stresses what this then led to; “therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him a name that is above every name” [v.9] So Christ is the supreme example to follow.  In following his example of submissive obedience we will be rewarded as our Lord was rewarded; a reward that is completed for him when “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth … and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” [v.10,11]  It is a great pity that in later centuries this wonderful truth became confused as a “mystery” by contorted human reasoning.  Let us hold fast to the inspired words of Scripture and, in this case, the example it sets before us of a wonderful spirit of submission.

We should always make “the best use of our time”!  But Paul’s comment to the Ephesians is that they should do it “because the days are evil” [[Ch. 5 v.16]. This shows that the time for doing worthwhile things was short; the window of opportunity for working for the Lord was not going to last for very long.  Paul continues, “therefore do not be foolish but understand what the will of the Lord is” [v.17]  This is a major reason why we should read the word of God every day – to understand his will, so that our minds are filled with his principles and this leads to wise actions, more essential than ever when “the days are evil.” 

Now note how Paul next writes of the good things that they – and we – can and should make part of our lives when we have the time to be together.  He says, “addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord in your heart” [v.19].  We sing aloud, but note that last phrase “in your heart.”  This shows that we must really think about and know the meaning of the words we decide to sing – for we are singing to the Lord, not just to each other!  We are singing about our convictions.

Jesus gave the very same warning, but he called those listening to him hypocrites and quoted Isaiah to them, “This people honours me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” [Matt. 14 v.8].  

    Finally, in our other Ephesians chapter today (6), Paul sums up his urgent advice about the coming evil day in words so appropriate to us today, “Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” [v.13]. A particular evil day or time of climax is certainly coming; it is what we do now that we see whether we “stand firm” or not. 

 The chapters in Ephesians today are a passionate plea by Paul to the believers there to see their behaviour does not slip back to what it was before they believed in Christ.  Life in those days, like life today was full of distractions.  He tells them, “you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and given themselves up to sensuality …” [Ch.4 v.17-19]

These words also accurately describe the atmosphere in which we live today, the attitudes probably nearly all of us see around us.  Modern technology highlights these attitudes, making them worse and more appealing in many cases. Paul then writes, “But that is not the way you learned Christ!” [v.20] He seems to doubt that their learning of Christ had effectively led to a change of behaviour for he continues, “assuming that you have heard about him and were taught … to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires” [v.v.21-22].   How “deceitful” our desires can be!   It is vital “to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” [v.23,24]  Tragically we can be converted in our head, intellectually, while our hearts still have a great amount of fleshly inclinations.  

Paul then says, “do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by which you were sealed for the day of redemption.” [v.30].  We have on one or two occasions in past years attended those Pentecostal type services where they convince themselves they have some special gift that enables them to have visions; it is most unconvincing!  But the point that Paul makes here is that we should recognise that the Holy Spirit possesses us, rather than the other way round  This is the point we have seen several times in Proverbs; that the “eyes of the LORD are in every place keeping watch …” as we quoted yesterday.  Surely this is the case with those who have been “sealed” by God’s Spirit.