Coming to the light

Posted on May 16, 2018 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky May (16)

Coming to the light

Devotions from Jefferson Vann # 2383

John 3:16-21

Joh 3:16 Because God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone believing in him will not be destroyed but have permanent life.

Joh 3:17 Because God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Joh 3:18 Anyone believing in him is not condemned, but anyone not believing is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.

Joh 3:19 This is the condemnation: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.

Joh 3:20 Because everyone doing worthless things hates the light and avoids it, so that his works may not be exposed.

Joh 3:21 But anyone doing the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be worked by God.”

Coming to the light

Early in his Gospel, John revealed that Jesus’ life would be the light for humanity (1:4).1 But he does not immediately unpack that statement theologically. He begins to do so here in chapter 3. Nicodemus, who is a theologian, comes to Jesus at night for a conversation on spiritual matters. At that point in his life, Nicodemus could be called a success. He probably felt that he had as good a chance as anyone of getting on God’s good side – and earning his salvation, simply as a result of his theological knowledge. But Jesus tells him that he cannot be part of God’s coming kingdom without coming to the light – Jesus himself.

Jesus had already explained that the Holy Spirit was giving birth to a new people for God. He appeals to Nicodemus to accept God’s only Son, and only way to salvation. “Good” works are not an alternative to Jesus. Those really doing good works come to Jesus, the light, so that those good works may be exposed as God’s works. All “good” works apart from Christ are worthless things.

LORD, help us to reach people like Nicodemus, who are doing “good” things, but have not come to the light.

1ἐν αὐτῷ ζωὴ ἦν, καὶ ζωὴ ἦν τὸ φῶϛ τῶν ἀνθρώπων·

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Worldly things and supernatural things

Posted on May 15, 2018 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky May (15)

Worldly things and supernatural things

Devotions from Jefferson Vann # 2382

John 3:9-15

Joh 3:9 “How can these things be?” answered Nicodemus.

Joh 3:10 “Are you a teacher of Israel and you don’t know these things?” Jesus replied.

Joh 3:11 “Sincerely I am telling you, we are speaking what we know and we are testifying to what we have seen, but you are not receiving our testimony.

Joh 3:12 If I have told you about worldly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you about supernatural things?

Joh 3:13 No one has ascended into the sky except the one who descended from the sky– the Son of Man.

Joh 3:14 “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,

Joh 3:15 so that everyone who is believing in him may have permanent life.

Worldly things and supernatural things

What were the worldly things that Jesus had mentioned to Nicodemus? I think he must have been referring to what he said about the wind in verse 8. He was comparing the fact that the wind does what it does invisibly, causing a visible result. He had been talking about being birthed from above by the Holy Spirit.

Now Jesus is preparing to talk about other supernatural things (τὰ ἐπουράνια). So, he offers another comparison. He compares God’s plan for saving humanity through Christ with God’s plan for dealing with the snake infestation of Numbers 21:4-9.

The comparison is not exact. Jesus points out that Moses’ bronze snake only allowed the Israelites to resume their temporary life. But Jesus death on the cross will allow the one believing in him (ὁ πιστεύων ⸂ἐν αὐτῷ) to have permanent life (ζωὴν αἰώνιον).

LORD, thank you for your divine plan, making it possible for us to live forever.

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Given birth to from above

Posted on May 14, 2018 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky May (14)

Given birth to from above

Devotions from Jefferson Vann # 2381

John 3:1-8

Joh 3:1 There was a man from the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews.

Joh 3:2 This man came to him at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, because no one is able to do these signs you do unless God is with him.”

Joh 3:3 Jesus answered, and this is what he said, “Sincerely I tell you, unless someone is given birth to from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Joh 3:4 “How can anyone be given birth to when he is old?” Nicodemus asked him. “Can he enter his mother’s uterus a second time and be born?”

Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, “Sincerely I tell you, unless someone is given birth to out of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

Joh 3:6 Whatever is given birth to by the flesh is flesh, and whatever is given birth to by the Spirit is spirit.

Joh 3:7 Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be given birth to again.

Joh 3:8 The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone given birth to by the Spirit.”

Given birth to from above

I know that traditionally English translations have used “born” to translate γεννάω in this passage, but it does not mean that. It refers to a father’s act of begetting a child, or a mother’s act of bearing, or giving birth to child. Every use of the word in this passage is passive.1 The emphasis is not on a person getting himself remade. The emphasis is on the action of another causing a person to be reborn, and that person who acts is identified: the Holy Spirit (verses 5, 6, 8).

Unless the new life begins outside of us, in the miraculous grace of God, it is not genuine. This was what Nicodemus was struggling with. His religion – up to this point – was man-made. He did not yet know how to let God transform him into someone new.

LORD, we surrender to your sovereignty. Make into us new children whose origins are from above.

1 γεννηθῇ (3,5); γεννηθῆναι (4,7) γεγεννημένον (6), γεγεννημένος (8).

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He knew humanity

Posted on May 13, 2018 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky May (13)

He knew humanity

Devotions from Jefferson Vann # 2380

John 2:13-25

Joh 2:13 The Jewish Passover was near, and so Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

Joh 2:14 In the temple he found people selling oxen, and sheep, and doves, and there were the money changers sitting there.

Joh 2:15 After making a whip out of ropes, he drove them all out of the temple with their sheep and oxen. He also poured out the money changers’ coins and overturned the tables.

Joh 2:16 He told those who were selling doves, “Get these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!”

Joh 2:17 And his disciples remembered that it is written: Zeal for your house will consume me.

Joh 2:18 So the Jews replied to him, “What sign are you showing us because you are doing these things?”

Joh 2:19 Jesus answered, and this is what he said to them “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

Joh 2:20 Therefore the Jews said, “This temple took forty-six years to build, and will you raise it up in three days?”

Joh 2:21 But he was saying this about the temple of his body.

Joh 2:22 So when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the statement Jesus had made.

Joh 2:23 While he was in Jerusalem during the Passover at the feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs he was doing.

Joh 2:24 Yet Jesus would not entrust himself to them, since he knew them all

Joh 2:25 and because he did not need anyone to testify about humanity; for he himself knew what was in humanity.

He knew humanity

John’s story of Jesus has him leaving a wedding (which he didn’t crash) to a market hall in the temple (which he did crash). I see two emphases in this passage. First, there is the reference to Jesus’ disciples remembering what the Scripture says. Jesus’ zeal to defend and protect the temple from the marketers’ greed reminded them of Psalm 69:9. His resurrection would remind them of his promise to rebuild a destroyed temple in three days.

Secondly, John emphasizes what Jesus sees in the heart of humanity. In the commonplace marketers he sees a greed and abuse of religion that defiles God’s house. In those who asked him for a sign miracle to prove his authority to wreck the market hall, Jesus sees the hypocrisy of a people defending a tradition instead of supporting what God is really doing.

He knows us. We cannot hide behind tradition.

LORD, come into our lives and crash our marketplace. You know we need you because you know who we really are.

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First sign of brilliance

Posted on May 12, 2018 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky May (12)

First sign of brilliance

Devotions from Jefferson Vann # 2379

John 2:1-12

Joh 2:1 On the third day a wedding took place in Cana of Galilee, and Jesus’s mother was there.

Joh 2:2 Jesus and his disciples had been invited to the wedding as well.

Joh 2:3 When more wine was needed, Jesus’s mother says to him, “They don’t have any wine.”

Joh 2:4 Jesus says to her,” What is that to me and you, woman?” “My hour has not yet come.”

Joh 2:5 His mother says to the servants. “Do whatever he says to you,”

Joh 2:6 Now six stone water jars had been set there for a Jewish purification rite. Each contained up to two or three metretes.1

Joh 2:7 “Fill the jars with water,” Jesus told them. So they filled them to the brim.

Joh 2:8 Then he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the headwaiter.” And they did.

Joh 2:9 When the headwaiter tasted the water (after it had become wine), he did not know where it came from– though the servants who had drawn the water knew. The headwaiter called the groom

Joh 2:10 and says to him, “Everyone sets out the fine wine first, then, after people are drunk, the cheaper. But you have kept the fine wine until now.”

Joh 2:11 Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee. He revealed his brilliance, and his disciples believed in him.

Joh 2:12 After this, he went down to Capernaum, together with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples, and they stayed there not many days.

First sign of brilliance

The water to wine story seems an odd one to be the first sign of the powerful brilliance of Jesus. It isn’t a plague upon his enemies. It isn’t walking on water, or raising the dead. It’s providing good hooch for a party. Maybe some Christians are a bit embarrassed by Jesus’ choice. But personally, I’m glad Jesus cared enough about this little bash to show up there, and make a difference.

LORD, thank you for showing up in the oddest of places.

1 18 to 27 gallons.

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You will see greater things

Posted on May 11, 2018 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky May (11)

You will see greater things

devotions from Jefferson Vann # 2378

John 1:43-51

Joh 1:43 The next day Jesus wanted to leave for Galilee. He found Philip and told him, “Follow me.”

Joh 1:44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the hometown of Andrew and Peter.

Joh 1:45 Philip finds Nathanael and tells him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the law (and the prophets did too): Jesus the son of Joseph, from Nazareth.”

Joh 1:46 “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Nathanael asked him. “Come and see,” Philip answered.

Joh 1:47 Then Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said about him, “Here is a real Israelite in whom there is no misrepresentation.”

Joh 1:48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you,” Jesus answered.

Joh 1:49 “Rabbi,” Nathanael replied, “You yourself are the Son of God; you yourself are the King of Israel!”

Joh 1:50 Jesus responded to him, “Are you believing because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.”

Joh 1:51 Then he says, “Sincerely I tell you, you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

You will see greater things

Jesus’ promise to Nathaniel was amazing, but he was merely responding to the faith Nathaniel had already expressed. All it takes is responding in faith to Jesus’ words. That is what Nathaniel had done. I don’t know all the details about Nathaniel’s “fig tree” experience. But I know that Nathaniel knew in his heart that Jesus knew him better than anyone else. When we have the courage to believe that, we are set to see even greater things from God.

LORD, give us the faith to take you at your word.

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Jesus passing by

Posted on May 10, 2018 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky May (10)

Jesus passing by

devotions from Jefferson Vann # 2377

John 1:35-42

Joh 1:35 The next day, John was standing with two of his disciples.
Joh 1:36 When he was staring intensely at Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
Joh 1:37 The two disciples heard him say this and followed Jesus.
Joh 1:38 When Jesus turned and noticed them following him, he asked them, “What are you trying to find?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”
Joh 1:39 “Come and you’ll see,” he replied. So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon.
Joh 1:40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John and followed him.
Joh 1:41 He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated “the Christ”),
Joh 1:42 and he brought Simon to Jesus. When Jesus saw him, he said, “You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated “Peter”).

Jesus passing by

The first glimpse these disciples get of Jesus is due only to John’s intense interest in him. Notice that they choose to follow Jesus not because he has done some supernatural miracle, but because John could not take his eyes off him. Secondly, John testifies to who Jesus is. Thirdly, they choose to follow him. Fourthly, they spend some time with him.

Do you want to be a Christian? Don’t wait for a sign from the sky. Find someone who truly loves Jesus, and ask about him. Next, try to follow him. That is all it will take. If you wait until all your questions are answered, Jesus will pass you by. You do not want that to happen.

LORD, draw people to yourself, and use us to share who you are.

 

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hearing before seeing

Posted on May 9, 2018 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky May (9)

hearing before seeing

devotions from Jefferson Vann # 2376

John 1:29-34

Joh 1:29 The next day John sees Jesus coming toward him and says, “Look, the Lamb of God, who is taking away the sin of the world!
Joh 1:30 He is the one I told you about: ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me, because he existed before me.’
Joh 1:31 I didn’t know him, but I came baptizing with water so he might be revealed to Israel.”
Joh 1:32 And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and he rested on him.
Joh 1:33 I didn’t know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘The one you see the Spirit descending and resting on– he is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’
Joh 1:34 I have seen and have testified that he is the Son of God.”

hearing before seeing

John the Baptist testified that Jesus is the Son of God (34), the Lamb of God (29), empowered by the Holy Spirit (32-33), baptizes others with the Holy Spirit (33) and pre-existed his own birth (30). John had been in such a close relationship with God that the things he saw meant more to him than just what he saw. He had more information from his prayer closet, so what he saw merely supplemented what he knew.

LORD, help us to set aside time to hear from you, so that we can better understand the things that we see.

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merely baptizing with water

Posted on May 8, 2018 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky May (8)

merely baptizing with water

devotions from Jefferson Vann # 2375

John 1:24-28

Joh 1:24 And these had been sent from the Pharisees.
Joh 1:25 So they asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you aren’t the Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet?”
Joh 1:26 “I am merely baptizing with water,” John answered them. “Someone stands among you, whom you don’t know him.
Joh 1:27 He is the one coming after me, whose sandal strap I myself do not even deserve to untie.”
Joh 1:28 All this happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

merely baptizing with water

Matthew’s version of this conversation goes like this:

“I baptize you with water to show repentance, but he who is coming after me is stronger than I am, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire”(Matt. 3:11 JDV).

Mark’s version is:

“And he was preaching by telling them: “the One who is more important than me is coming after me, of whom I am not worthy to even bend down and untie the strap of his shoes.” I baptized you in water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit. (Mk. 1:7-8 JDV) .

Luke’s version:

“John answered them all, and this is what he said, “I am baptizing you with water, but the one who is more powerful than I am is coming, of whom I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire (Lk. 3:16 JDV).

In John’s version, we see John the Baptist waiting until he points out Jesus as the Lamb of God before describing what his ministry would be. For John, he was merely baptizing (bringing people to Christ — we call that evangelism today).

OH LORD, give us a ministry like that of John, who merely bring people to Jesus.

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not a self identity issue

Posted on May 7, 2018 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky May (7)

not a self identity issue

devotions from Jefferson Vann # 2374

John 1:19-23

Joh 1:19 This was John’s testimony when the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?”
Joh 1:20 He did not deny it, but admitted: “I am not the Messiah.”
Joh 1:21 “Who then?” they asked him. “Are you Elijah?” “I am not,” he said. “Are you the Prophet?” “No,” he answered.
Joh 1:22 “Who are you, then?” they asked. “So we can give an answer to those who sent us. What are you saying about yourself?”
Joh 1:23 He said, “I am a voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make the road of the Lord straight — just as Isaiah the prophet said.”

not a self identity issue

There is a lot of controversy in this generation about self identity. Some people want to redefine themselves, and others oppose it. When the delegation from the Jewish leaders came to John, they were all about who John was — or who he was saying he was. John deflected that attack by going to the scriptures. The important thing for John was not his own identity, but the identity of Christ, and getting people ready for Christ.

LORD, show us how to focus on you and who you are.

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