John 7:21-24 "What Do You Think Of The Ten Commandments?"~Another Perspective

John 7:21-24~Another Perspective

21Jesus answered and said to them, “One work I did, and are amazed! 22For this reason Moses has given circumcision-not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers-and on a Sabbath circumcise a man. 23If a man receives circumcision on a Sabbath so that the Law of Moses is not broken, are very angry with Me that I made a man   well on a Sabbath? 24Stopjudging according to appearance, but be judging the righteous judgment.”

Good Day Child of God! "Father Your Will Be Done!" The verses above are liken to Jesus saying, "Allow Me to repeat Myself! Can you not understand a thing I say?" Truly Jesus is upset, and will continue to be, at least for awhile, as we continue in John's Gospel.

Last Study we discussed the Ten Commandments. I have seen Studies taken for granted or maybe it should be said that there is a certain ambivalence toward the subject of the Law and the Ten Commandments. That is because of how misguided the teachings have been concerning the reason for them. We are not going to let go of them just yet, as Jesus is not letting go in our reading in this Study.

Today's easy lesson: The more we delve into the Gospel of John, the more it is obvious that the Apostle John seems to be much more in tune with the teaching of Jesus than any of the other Apostles with the exception of the Apostle Paul. I guess two out thirteen isn't bad. It's disgusting. 

Let's do this again but more to the point and more simply. There are two ways to look at the Law; The Ten Commandments, and some of Moses Law. One is that obedience to them is the only way to heaven, and of course, none of us can obey them so we have come up with remedies such as certain sacrifices, confession which also is taught poorly and for the wrong reasons. Do you recall what the words are to explain this view of the Law? Yes! The Rule of Law. It is meant to keep harmony within the community and a sense of peace and control as well. You break the Law, you pay a price. Those that look at the Law in terms of religion always say the same thing: "They are not the Ten Suggestions!" Usually raising their voice to a fever pitch as the words are uttered. Those that live by the Law, die by the Law, for it says the Law cannot save you. (Read Romans 8:3-11 or Google Can the Law Save Me)

On the one hand then we have strict unhappy group of people that try to live a perfect life of obedience and works, which in some cases is the same thing. On the other hand we have Jesus explaining it is NOT THE RULE OF LAW THAT WAS THE INTENTION OF THE LAW. It was the intention of the Law to allow people to see that wanting to Love each other and show that Love to the Father, Jesus, and find the Way to the Truth and to the Life, it is the INTENT OF THE LAW THROUGH THE SEEKING THE GOODNESS IN LIFE TO ALLOW SPIRITUAL PEOPLE TO LIVE A LIFE OF PEACE, LOVE AND JOY, which also will keep peace and harmony not only in the community, but in each and every individual of the community. Those that scream "The Ten Commandments are not The Ten Suggestions," are right, but not for the reason of obedience, but to learn the reality of living with compassion and caring. 

How does this help in your daily walk with the Father? If you see the Father as a God with a big stick in His hand up in Heaven just waiting for you to err, so that He can whack you a good one, you do not understand your Loving Father. People that believe we should all be walking around like little soldiers of God, clean pressed suits, ties straight, sitting strait, fun is singing hymns and attending one Bible Study after another, you miss the loving care of your Father. Jesus got the stick for you. Jesus was the one who walked the straight and narrow and was perfect in His actions. As the saying goes, the Apple does not fall far from the Tree. God being the Tree, and the Apple so perfect was sacrificed so you, as imperfect as you are, can snuggle up to your Daddy and find His unwavering support and continued leading, teaching, and providing for you no matter what you may get yourself into. The intent of the Law is demonstrated in this way. Would you like it any other way? And frankly, the New Testament is rife with one teaching after another speaking of the Father's Love for His Children, not meaning to spoil them, but to teach them to keep Trusting, keep walking and doing the best that they can. Again, He is watching over you and allowing for the peace, love, and joy to fill your being at your request. This to is the Intent of the Law. Have a Grace Day!

Brother Glenn
 

John 8:12-20 "THE TEN COMMANDMENTS ARE NOT WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD."

John 8:12-20

12Then again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world! The one following Me shall by no means walk around in the darkness, but shall have the Light of Life! 13So the Pharisees said to Him, “You are testifying concerning Yourself! Your testimony is not true!” 14Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I am testifying concerning Myself, My testimony is true, because I know from where I came and where I am going. But do not know from where I come and where I am going. 15Judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone. 16But even if I judge, My judgment is true, because I am not alone, but I and the Father having sent Me. 17And also in Law it has been written that the testimony of two persons is true. (Deut 19:15) 18I am the One testifying concerning Myself, and the Father having sent Me is testifying of Me.” 

19Therefore, they were saying to Him, “Where is Your father?” Jesus answered, “Neither know Me nor My Father. If knew Me, would also know My Father.” 20These sayings Jesus spoke in the treasury (in the area of the Temple where collection boxes were located), teaching in the Temple, and no one seized Him, because His hour had not yet come.

Good Day Child of God! "Father? Your Will Be Done!" Continuing on in the Gospel of John, we must first look back to the last Study, where we discussed a portion of Scripture even though many theologians doubt its validity. In context the doubters seem to be unwise. We continue on from there with Jesus doing what He always does while in the Temple. Teaching.

Nothing has changed in terms of Jesus' visit to the Temple, given the fact that those that strive to be good Jews are there to challenge Him. As a reminder, there are five groups of men that make up the upper echelon of the ruling Jews. Priests, the Chief Priest is the only one able to enter the Holy of Holies, Sadducees and Pharisees who are experts in the Laws, and some Scribes because they can read and write. From the Chief Priest down to the Scribes, that is the direction of power and influence each designation would carry. Sadducees and Pharisees being of equal nobility, with the Sadducees not Believing in Heaven, and the Pharisees who do Believe in Heaven. Is it a wonder why there are sects in any religion, when the Jews, who don't even agree that God is One and His ways do not go to and fro, back and forth, changing to one thing or another considering the circumstance at that moment?

Today's easy lesson: In our Scripture reading today we are finding Jesus once again tangled up in an argument with a group of Pharisees that is peculiar and what we call in our day and age "a teachable moment". Keeping in mind that the Pharisees are experts in the Laws, lawyers if you will, Jesus gets under their skin because He claims to be someone He cannot prove. What is both peculiar and teachable is this; In Deuteronomy, the verse used to back up Jesus' claim of Who He is, that Law is normally used if someone has done something wrong, to prove with two witnesses or more, that there is agreement in the accusation against that person, who is being brought before the Sanhedrin for judgement. What we call this is the rule of law. Strictly speaking that's what it appears to say, and has been used that way since that Law was written. Now comes Jesus and instead of using it for the rule of law, which He has already lectured the Priests, lawyers, and scribes that they will strain the Law for its rule, but ignore its intent, is is using it to prove His relationship to the Father, we could call it proving innocence, instead of guilt.

What is the message to help you in your daily walk with the Father? Taking our example above, or any of the Ten Commandments or other Laws, there is the Law. The rule is that, for example, one should not be jealous of their neighbors things. When you are jealous, who is hurt, you or your neighbor? You are, because you are suffering as your neighbor has either worked hard to acquire his goods, or inherited them, or acquired them in some other way, perhaps even illegally. The Rule of the Law says to mind your own business, for you don't know if the goods bring your neighbor peace or problems. The Intent of the Law is to save you unnecessary angst and anxiety when you don't know the whole story. This is true in the case of the Jews, especially those that are of the ruling class, who don't know Jesus or His Father because they have strayed from God's Provision. They are now leaning on their own understanding using the Rule of Law. Had they focused on the Love of God, the reasons that the Ten Commandments were given to begin with, to point the Israelites toward the way that by looking at the Law for their own solid foundation and a peaceful life, Jesus would not have to explain to those that should know these things. Once again, the Law is good, if you can understand why it was given, you will be a happier person. If you see it as a group of rules to control people, you miss the point of Love, and you do not understand that people in every way will always try to figure out how to go over, under, around, and through the Law. It is mankind's nature. Tell me "don't do that", and the first thing I want is to go and "do that". On the other hand if you stay close to the Father you will find that the way of giving His Chosen a start toward understanding how to think correctly is through the Law, and that is the teachable moment. It isn't an issue of control, it is an issue of a Blessing for God's Children. Where so many demand obedience to the Law for Salvation, the Law cannot Save, it just points to the Way, the Truth, and the Life. That's why the Ten Commandments are no longer an issue between God and mankind, God's Chosen misused them and Grace was lost to them because of it. Amazing isn't it? Have a Grace Day!

Brother Glenn

Complete New Testament Grace Studies link: http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/

John 8:1-11 "Many Doubt These Verses, But They Are Wrong."

John 8:1-11

1But Jesus departed to the Mount of Olives. 2Then at dawn He came again to the Temple, and all the people were coming. And having sat down, He began teaching them. 

3But the scribes and the Pharisees bring to Him a woman having been caught in adultery. And having set her in the middle, 4they say to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act-committing adultery! 5Now in the Law, Moses commanded us that such be stoned. (cp. Lev 20: 10; Deut 22: 22-24) Therefore, You, what do You say?” 6But this they said, testing Him, so that they should be having to accuse Him. But Jesus, having stooped down, began writing into the ground with His finger, not taking notice. 

7But when they continued asking Him, having straightened Himself back up, He said to them, “The sinless, let him first cast the stone at her.” 8And again having stooped down, He was writing into the ground. 9But they having heard, and by the conscience being convicted, began going out one by one, having begun from the older. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman being in the midst. 

10Now Jesus having straightened Himself back up and having seen no one but the woman, said to her, “Where are those accusers of yours? Did no one condemn you?” 11And she said, “No one, Lord.” So Jesus said, “Neither do I judge you. Be going, and no longer be sinning.”

Good Day Child Of God! "Father? Your Will Be Done!" I am not sure how many of you have heard that there is great disagreement among Theologians as to whether the words above were part of Jesus' Life or made up by someone who thought the act of adultery should be included in Jesus' teaching.

Factually no one knows for certain. The confusion comes from the placement of this scene in John's Gospel, and the way Jesus let things go the way He did. It seems to come out of nowhere, plus Jesus doesn't judge her, there is no lecture, nor condemnation, just loving advice to allow her to live a life that God would like to see her live. That doesn't fit the Law as written in the Old Testament. In fact the whole story doesn't fit the Law as prescribed. Let's see if it does fit the Gospel that Jesus preaches and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us.

Today's easy lesson: What once meant little to anyone that attended a school of higher learning in Bible and Theology, because they didn't understand the words, we are Blessed to be given an insight as to what is going on above. In reality, this is one of the most interesting sections of Scripture you will find anywhere in the Bible. To make it simple, we must know the background of the Law that is referenced in the Scripture above. Here is a brief look at what is said:

Lev 20:10 "If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife-with the wife of his neighbor-both the adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death. (This continues on for Nine more verses that spell out variations of the sin of adultery, including with animals)


Deut 22:22-24  If a man happens to meet in a town a virgin pledged to be married and he sleeps with her, you shall take both of them to the gate of that town and stone them to death-the young woman because she was in a town and did not scream for help, and the man because he violated another man’s wife. You must purge the evil from among you.

Now that we have a bit of the background of the Law of Moses, what is obvious that is missing from the Scripture in our reading above? The woman is there, but what of the man, where is he? I have listened to many sermons on this section of Scripture concerning that which Jesus is writing in the sand, and there have been many good guesses. That's all they can be is guesses because it is not revealed as to what Jesus is writing. Yet from the oldest to the youngest, the accusers begin to leave. Why? My sense is that the older knew better than any of them what was happening in this "testing" of Jesus, and that if the story had any truth to it, the man would have been there too. The adulterer was not there because this was a test, not a reality, and as to what Jesus wrote in the sand; "Do not test the Lord your God." The oldest knew immediately what the Law said he was likely the most learned, and left first, and as the group eldest left the next and next followed because they had caught themselves in an untruth. Did you notice that Jesus did not take the woman to task? All He did was tell her to go and sin no more, a common phrase He used after healing and speaking to people that would come to Him for matters with various issues.

How does this help you in your daily walk with your Father? We have spoken many times not to rush through the Bible. If you do, you miss wonderful teaching as we have discovered in the few words above. The Bible gives us the Law of God and of Moses in the Old Testament, not to condemn, but to guide, to show a way to a better, wholesome, caring and loving life. It was given to begin to show those that were not Israelites that the One True God's followers were gentle people of kindness and caring, not a people like most in the world that only considered gods as those that would help them in time of need, blessing their battles, providing proper rain, places to prosper, and keeping their enemies from their gates. In other words the gods, when pleased, gave their followers the good life here on earth. Israel's God was a God of Love. A God of discipline that never stopped providing for His people regardless of their situation. He gave them the Law, which seem harsh considering the punishment for the sins against that List. Keep in mind the 400 years the Israelites were in Egypt. That was a place where they grew strong as a nation, but knew little of the God of Abraham. They would learn in time, but time seemed to work against God's plan rather than for it. He worked around that problem and as He did, other problems came up. Yet the Father didn't give up, He continues to provide; the Truth, the Grace, and the Love. Agape' Love, never leaving His Children nor forsaking them, that is never taking His eyes off of them. As for we modern day Christians, we need to be thankful at all times especially for having a chance to enter into God's favor. The Israelites stumbled through misunderstanding their Father, so to make the Israelites jealous, the Gentiles are free to seek and find the way to Life Everlasting. The good life is in obeying the intent of the Law, not to find punishment from breaking its technicalities, but learning from seeing what goodness it represents. That makes the Law good, but the Law cannot save anyone. It is not there for that reason. Jesus' completed works give us reasons to get to know and honor our Father, because His completed works do save us from the separation from the Father because of sin, and unless the Holy Spirit indwells us, we do not gain Eternal Life. Don't forget, our privilege could end at anytime. Please take the time to talk to your Abba, Daddy, Father, soon and very soon! He will teach you, calm you, love you, and more. Have a Grace Day!

Brother Glenn
Complete New Testament Grace Studies link: http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/

John 7:50-53 "How Does God Need Your Help?"

John 7:50-53

50Nicodemus, the one having come to Him by night, says to them, being one of them, 51“ Our Law does not judge the person unless it hears from him first and knows what he does, does it?” 52They answered and said to him, “You are not also out of Galilee, are you? Search and see that a prophet has not been raised out of Galilee.” (cp., 2Kings 14: 25; i.e., Jonah was from Galilee) 53And each one departed to his house.

Good Day Child of God! "Father? Your Will Be Done!" With the verses above we come to the end of Chapter 7 of John's Gospel. With the next Study it will be a Chapter and a new day, but it will be the same Jesus, teaching in the Temple.

When people begin to lose sight of reality, and start to follow their gut instead of reason, things happen that are not within a standard of measure, but rather a snap back reaction of hasty decisions based on irrational thinking and are used to protect the status quo rather than to seek Truth. We see exactly that as we read our Text above. At this point the Priests are putting down all that would Trust in the Words that Jesus is teaching, including their own. Nicodemus who is well educated and deeply concerned about Truth, yet is disregarded when he tries to make a reasonable argument to listen further to Jesus and get His teachings directly from Him rather than those that report back to the Sanhedrin, the Counsel of leadership for the Jewish Religion. There is no reason to fear Jesus, except that Jesus could make them look foolish. In the world, we are taught to never give someone you deem an enemy time to explain, rather rid yourself of the problem as quickly as possible so those that support someone like Jesus will forget quickly enough, or perhaps consider that He was too weak and was of no consequence in God's eyes. 

Today's easy lesson: This lesson could be summed up as a life lesson as well as a Biblical lesson. It is common for a group of people that have certain control in certain areas of life anywhere in the world. Whether it is a neighborhood, a small town, a city, a state, a nation, or  an organization. We see it from condominium communities to a local church groups. What happens is that someone comes to be the controlling leader by either vote or by seizing the post. They have two traits, one being that they NEVER want to be thought of as wrong in anything they do or say. The other is that they are very thin skinned, meaning if you do confront them, the rage that flows through their being is noticeable, and whomever it was that stepped on those toes is in for trouble. How? Any number of ways depending on the power the toes are attached to. If a President of a nation, it would only take moments to eliminate or jail someone for life, even if there is nothing that they did wrong. Right and wrong are the President's decision. Come down to a local church pastor or member that have deep beliefs in the groups theology, and it won't take long to be tossed from the group, and if there is an unwelcome return, the rumor mill and accusations of impropriety will overwhelm just about anyone. Of course Jesus isn't just anyone, and the Priests, the Sadducee's, and Pharisees with the exception of Nicodemus, are willing to cut Jesus off at the knees as soon as possible.

Why do you suppose Nicodemus is the only one wanting to hear more from Jesus? Do you remember who approached Jesus to dig deeper into what Jesus was teaching? We met Nicodemus when he went to Jesus to ask more questions, and Jesus told Nicodemus that one must be "born of water and of Spirit," and this completely confused Nicodemus. In fact to this very day that statement is misused and misunderstood, even though Jesus was not kind to Nicodemus, as Nicodemus was one who was teaching the Law, and not understanding this simple play on words. You must be born of water, that is, you must be born of a woman, coming out of the water sack you lived in for nine months and become a human being. Then once you are old enough to understand, you must accept God for who He is and what He has done for you, and then the Spirit is given to you, which in turn makes you born by the Spirit as well. Not a hard teaching, and it has nothing to say about baptism. You and I would never believe that however if we were to speak to most Christians, as they are sure you must be baptized in water to be Saved. 

How does this help you in your daily walk? If you are following religious teaching, what does that have to do with God? We have discussed this question many times, and Truth is that God is not religious. In fact, once again, did Jesus come as a man to serve both His Father and mankind for the sake of bringing about peace between the two, or did Jesus come to issue in a whole new set of rules, rites, and commandments? When we decide that what Jesus has done isn't enough, His Cross, His death, burial, and the Resurrection become useless. The Apostle Paul said it this way; "Grace becomes useless to you." You and I, well every human being, carry no merit when standing in front of God. We rejected His ways at the beginning in the Garden with Adam, Eve and Cain, and to this day we reject God's forgiveness of sins and the Gift of Life through Jesus because we decide we must do more to complete the plan the Creator decided was enough. In reality, even calling yourself a Christian, you chance losing your place as His Child because you have decided God is to follow you, not the other way around. Listen to the testimony of Jesus, as Nicodemus suggests, not the testimony of some preacher, teacher, or priest, and you will find your Father has these things in mind for you; peace, love and joy. There is nothing on earth and no one in the Universe that can take His Grace from you. Only you can reject it outright, and decide God needs more of something to complete His plan of Salvation. Do you think your affiliation, your group, your actions or works are the additions the Father had forgotten? My fellow Students, our Father Loves this world He made. As for mankind, He Loves us even more. Why do people take the time to insult His Love and create another way? It is a serious question, and there is an easy answer. Please think it through? Have a Grace Day!

Brother Glenn

Complete New Testament Grace Studies link: http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/

John 7:40-49 "What Is The Difference Between God And The Way You Think Of Him?"

John 7:40-49

40Therefore, many from the crowd having heard the word were saying, “This One is truly the Prophet.” 41Others were saying, “This is the Christ.” Others were saying, “But the Christ is not coming out of Galilee, is He? 42The Scripture said the Christ is coming from the seed of David and from Bethlehem, the village where David was, did it not?” (Psalm 132: 11; Jer 23: 5; 1Sam 16: 1,13; Micah 5: 2) 43So a division arose among the crowd because of Him. 44But some out of them were wanting to seize Him, but no one laid his hands on Him. 

45Then the attendants came to the chief priests and Pharisees. And those said to them, “Why did not bring Him?” 46The attendants answered, “Never in such a manner spoke a person like this Person!” 47Therefore, the Pharisees answered to them, “Have not also been deceived, have? 48No one from the rulers believed in Him nor from the Pharisees, have they? 49But this crowd, the one not knowing the Law, is accursed.”

Good Day Child of God! "Father? Your Will Be Done!" The last couple of Studies were a bit harsh. I don't want you to misunderstand and become discouraged in any way. By speaking directly as Jesus would, no parables, nothing to hide the Truth, if you are going to count yourself as a Child of God, you should not just use your Loving Father as that proverbial vending machine in the Sky. After all everything you need has been, and will continue to be provided for you for ever and ever. The thought of having to do something with your talents, whatever they may be is not the issue. The thought that you respect your Father is the issue. Nothing more, yet your Father would love to have a Child in which He can converse, hear from in good times and bad, and frankly be thankful for all that has been provided for you when there is nothing you could do to grant His favor. He accomplished that by having done it for you through Jesus' works.

Do you understand that? It is very hard to get this Truth into your head that all that you say and do, to think that you are impressing your Father, is done for your own satisfaction? The only thing that He appreciates is your acceptance of His Son Jesus' Gift to you for Trusting in His finished works, the Gift of Life, forever. That is what abundance means, not nice worldly gifts so you are comfortable, not concerned at all about the entire family, many of which at this very moment are being shot to death, beheaded, and/or any number of gruesome actions that are meant to make them disown Jesus. Yet they don't. These are your brothers and sisters, we should all care about them, me included. One thing I do know from working through the Bible for so long, it's that our Dad wants us to know in Him there is no fear, no angst, anxiety, or worry, He loves us to much for that. On the other hand I have to share with you that that kind of Agape' Love compels me want to be the best son I can possibly be, and I give it to our Dad to make it known to me what it is I can do to help Him work through His plans for those that are both family, and those that are not. I could do better. He knows that, and He doesn't excoriate me for being weak or thoughtless. He simply continues to hope in me, teach me, and Love me, never taking His eyes off of me. That is Agape' Love, Grace Unleashed.

Today's easy lesson: It ends up that this is going to be a very simple Study. Here is why; Jesus is talking to the people, including the Jews, and explaining the difference between the Freedom of being a Child of God, and the shackles that the Law hangs on them. Obviously Jesus speaks as though He is an authority on both sides of these belief systems, and of course, He is! The people that are hanging around Jesus the last day of the feast have grown in the number of listeners, and those better educated and knowledgeable Law abiding folk, have by now heard of Jesus, and they wanted to hear more from Him directly. As they no doubt pushed their way to the front, they find that since they are experienced in Judaism that there is some confusion in their minds as to the Truth. On the one hand, what Jesus is saying with great authority and without fear is God's way is not of the Law. No, God's way is of tolerance, peace, love, joy, patience, self-control, and gentleness. What part of this message do these that have knowledge of their Religion confuse them? The part about where the Messiah is to have come from. Interesting that no one dared ask Jesus his place of birth. I suppose if they did, they would grab Jesus and hoist Him up on their shoulders making Him King of the Jews. There is no way Jesus wanted that!

How does this help you in your daily walk as a Christian? From the moment you awaken to moment you fall asleep, you should be in as much conversation with the Father as possible. "Father grant me safe passage to work today, yet your will be done." "Holy Spirit, remind me before I make it home that we need a few groceries before I get home, please." "Father, thank you for getting me here safely, and as I asked earlier, you go ahead of me and make way in all that I do and say making Your Will replace my will all day long." "Thank you Father for doing these things for me, and make it known to me what I should do at any time to help you."

This could go on all day, and in fact in my sincerest heart, I believe it should. Sharing victories, and mistakes, speaking to your Dad about the least of things. It is a great habit, it builds that relationship, and more it builds confidence in Him as you experience all the prayers that are answered. He is your Abba, Daddy, Father, and as often as Jesus spoke to Him, it is no wonder that Jesus knew Him so well that He would only do and say what He was told. Does that sound like going to Church once a weak, maybe reading a few words in the Bible once every few days, or even being involved in ministry? It sounds so much more like a Father/Child relationship of the best kind, and it is the relationship your Father would like to have with you after you accept the Gift of Life from Jesus, your older and better Brother. Have a Grace Day! 

Brother Glenn