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Post 73 Is What You Know True?
Welcome to a new series in Pastor Vic’s Nuggets of Truth. I am calling this series “Living the Supernatural Life: A Journey into Grace and Faith” or simply Christianity 301. While our focus in this series will be on God’s Grace and His truth, we need to look at some important issues beforehand.
Many Voices
In Christianity, there are many voices proclaiming they have the truth about Father God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and God’s Word the Bible. It can be very confusing. They can’t all be correct because so many of them contradict each other. So, how do we strip away what is false and find the truth about God and His will for us?
First, we have to keep in mind that Satan is the father of all lies. This means every lie that is spoken or perpetrated originates with him. Satan uses deception to mislead people and draw them away from the truth about God. His plan is to make you feel weak and powerless so that you would depend on your strength instead of trusting in Jesus. Satan wants to create doubt in your life about God’s love, faithfulness, and plan for you. If he can create confusion, then you will seek the wrong things which will draw you further away from Jehovah God.
Secondly, we have to remember what Jesus said in John 8:31-34, that the truth will set you free and that if Jesus sets you free then you are free indeed! Now, what kind of freedom is Jesus talking about? Well, the most important freedom we have is that we are free to receive Heaven. because of the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Heaven is ours instead of Hell. Jesus also promised that we would be free from sin and the death and destruction that it brings. Freedom in Jesus also means that all of the promises of God are ours to obtain and enjoy.
Missing out on God’s best.
Jesus promised a lot, so why is it that so many live below their potential in God. Is it because so many have exchanged the truth for a lie? Listen to what the Apostle Paul said in Romans 1:25 “… who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen”. If one sincerely believes a lie about spiritual things that sincerity will count for nothing. It’s still a lie! If the truth sets free then a lie will produce bondage- physical, emotional, and spiritual.
Throughout our lives, we have been exposed to all kinds of influences. Some of those influences were good, noble, and consistent with God’s plan for us. However, we have also been exposed to influences that were negative, evil, and totally at odds with God’s will for us.
Make no mistake if you are deceived by Satan you will not be fulfilling God’s desire and you will be reaping the fruit of Satan which is pain, suffering, and heartache.
What I am trying to say is, the truth from God’s perspective, is essential to a blessed life. You cannot blame others for what you believe. As a believer, you have the Bible and the Holy Spirit of Truth to guide you in your search for the truth. Don’t assume that others are wiser, smarter, or more knowledgeable about the Word of God, search for yourself! Being a Christian is a life-long journey into God’s truth.
An Important Question
Here is a question you should ask yourself, “are you doing things to please God without knowing why”! This is where it is important to examine what you believe and why. Is it because someone told you that it is true or is it because you have discovered the truth for yourself in the Word?
In 2 Corinthians 3:12-18, the Apostle Paul talks about the “veil” of deception. This was a veil over the hearts of the legalistic Jews who were under the Law of Moses. As a result of the veil, they could not see that the Old Testament was referring to Jesus as the Messiah, and they rejected Him. Then Paul says, very clearly, the veil is removed in Jesus Christ.
If we want all that God has provided in Jesus Christ which is what Grace is, and the Faith to appropriate or access that Grace we need to be confident that what we believe is Truth!
World View And 7 Veils of Deception
The world’s view is a form of deception that attempts to marginalize or minimize the importance of God and His Church. Let me suggest that there are at least seven veils that every believer should examine in their lives.
- Veil of our sin nature (habits). When we come to Christ we are forgiven and become new creations (2Cor 5:17). This is referring to our spirit-man; we still have to overcome a lifetime of bad habits. Our sin-nature has been dealt with, but we may still have unrighteous attitudes and thoughts. This is overcome by the work of the Word and of the Spirit as we are transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom 12:2).
- Veil of family. Your relationship (or lack of) with parents, especially your father can shape your view of your Heavenly Father. A negative family life can transfer that negativity or lack of trust for our Heavenly Father. This attitude can twist the Good News message into one that is harsh, judgmental, and unloving.
- Veil of education. As children, we tend to believe all that we are taught and as a result, we are taught values and morals that do not conform to the Bible. For example, something that many are taught would be, God did not create man and woman, but mankind evolved into their present form (Creation vs. Evolution).
- Veil of peers. For the sake of friendship, we tend to overlook and sometimes embrace the evil or bad behavior of others. As the Bible teaches “bad company corrupts good morals (1Cor 15:33). Those whom we are closest to can have the greatest influence on us. Choose your friends carefully.
- Veil of culture. A subtle but powerful influence that we are not aware of because we grew up in it. Attitudes about love, vengeance, gender, marriage, children, honesty, and integrity are built into the culture we live in. These attitudes may be contrary to scriptures and yet widely accepted. However, we are called to adhere to biblical truth, not to cultural “truths”.
- Veil of tradition. Jesus addressed the issue of the traditions of men. A common statement is, “It is the way we do things here!” Yes, but does it line up with the Word of God? The practice must line up with the Word of God.
- Veil of experience. Every individual is the sum total of their experiences in life. Both positive and negative experiences shape how we think and who we are. We are called to be Disciples of Christ; therefore, we should always examine our motives and behavior to make sure they are Christ-like.
Know Yourself
Since so much of what we know and believe is formed by our life experiences you can now understand why the Bible stresses the importance of knowing yourself and accurately judging yourself. “For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged” (1Corinthians 11:31). Coming to know yourself means to understand the truth about God’s Grace and Faith.
In closing let me quote these two scripture verses:
- John 1:14 “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth”.
- John 1:17 “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ”.
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Post 72 – God’s name is “I AM”!
In my last several Postings I’ve been trying to show that John’s Gospel points to the fact that Jesus is God. In my effort to emphasize Jesus’ deity I may have given the idea that Jesus is God alone. That is not what I am saying. I am a strong Trinitarian, I believe in the Trinity of God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. they are co-equal and One. This is a faith issue. The human intellect or mind cannot fully comprehend it, but it is essential to coming into a relationship with God.
Someone sent me a comment that “Jesus is not God; He is the Christ”. That is true the word Christ is not Jesus’ last name; it is His title. Christ is Greek and means Savior in English, and Messiah in Hebrew. However, the evidence is overwhelming that Jesus is God.
The Apostle Paul said that Jesus as God laid His Deity aside to live among us as a human being. Philippians 2:5, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men”. The Bible says it, that settles it!
God’s Covenant Name – “I AM”
In Exodus 3:13-14 a profound change in the relationship between God and man takes place. Up to this time in history, the Israelites or Hebrews would refer to God as El or Elohim; this was the general name used for God. As God prepares to use a reluctant Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, God reveals His personal name, indicating His desire for a covenant relationship with the Hebrew people. “Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them? And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:13-14).
“I AM” can be translated as the “ever-existent one” and is God’s personal name. Before this time God describes Himself as Elohim a general name for God, note that Elohim is also a plural name, further evidence that God is Three-In-One. [Gen 1: In the beginning, God (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth].
God’s Personal Name
The Ten Commandments forbid taking God’s name in vain. The very religious Hebrews were very afraid of misusing God’s name so they would avoid saying the name of God; instead, they would “refer to God as “Ha Shem” which means “The Name” or Adonai which means Lord. The early Hebrew writings had no vowels so when writing God’s name, it was spelled YHWH; this is called the Tetragrammaton. Latin translations of the Hebrew texts used the letters JHVH because they had ho Y in their alphabet. When the Hebrews would read YHWH, out loud, they would substitute the Hebrew word “Adonai” which means Lord, for fear of using God’s name in vain.
Later when the Hebrew language developed vowels, Hebrew scholars called Masoretes substituted the vowels of Adonai (Lord) into YHWH and got YaHWeH or YaHoVaH which later became JeHoVaH (Latinized because Latin had no “y” letter). Modern Christian Bibles use Yahweh, Jehovah or LORD (note the uppercase letters in LORD), to denote the personal name of God.
Different Bibles use different conventions in the choice of this word. As a side-note the Hebrews do not use any of these conventions; they still refer to God as Ha Shem or Adonai.”
[That was an excerpt from my book called, “Seeing the Forest for the Trees: God’s Promises Revealed.” Which is available at Amazon.com].
Descriptive Names of God
In the Bible God, the Father has many descriptive names, I have included the most familiar ones below. Notice that each name means something about the nature of God.
- The Great I AM is also called El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty) It was used in establishing of the Covenant of Law- Gen 17:1, “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless”.
- The Great I AM is also called El Elyon (The Most High God) Psalm 73:35, “Then they remembered that God was their rock, And the Most High Godtheir Redeemer”.
- The Great I AM is also called Jehovah Nissi (The Lord My Banner) Jehovah-Nissi Jehovah my banner, was the title given by Moses to the altar which he erected on the hill on the top of which he stood with uplifted hands while Israel prevailed over their enemies the Amalekites (Exodus 17:15).
- The Great I AM is also called Jehovah Rapha (The Lord That Heals) In the wilderness the people began to complain about the water, and God made the bitter waters sweet. Exodus 15:25-26, “There He made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there He tested them, 26 and said, “If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.”
- The Great I AM is also called Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord My Righteousness) Jeremiah 23:5-6, “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. 6 In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS”.
- The Great I AM is also called Jehovah Jira (The Lord Will Provide) Genesis 22 13, “Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So, Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son Issac. 14 And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”
- The Great I AM is also called Jehovah Shalom (The Lord Is Peace) Judges 6: 22, “Now Gideon perceived that He was the Angel of the Lord. So, Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord God! For I have seen the Angel of the Lord face to face.”23 Then the Lord said to him, “Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die.” 24 So Gideon built an altar there to the Lord, and called it The-Lord-Is-Peace.
The Seven “I Am”s of the New Testament
Just as the Old Testament Covenant uses descriptive names of Yahweh or Jehovah God, the New Testament Covenant uses names to describe Jesus’ identity with Father God. Jesus uses the phrase “I AM” seven times in the Gospel of John. Remember the number Seven is the number of completion or perfection in the Bible, and “I AM” is God’s name. These seven “I AM”s represent signs that identify Jesus as God”.
- “I am the bread of life.” (John 6:35, 41, 48, 51) As bread sustains physical life, so Christ offers and sustains spiritual life.
- “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12) To a world lost in darkness, Christ offers Himself as a light in the darkness.
- “I am the door of the sheep.” (John 10:7,9) Jesus protects His followers as shepherds protect their flocks from predators.
- “I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25) Death is not the final word for those in Christ.
- “I am the good shepherd.” (John 10:11, 14) Jesus is committed to caring and watching over those who are His.
- “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6) Jesus is the source of all truth and knowledge about God.
- “I am the true vine.” (John 15:1, 5) By attaching ourselves to Christ, we enable His life to flow in and through us. Then we cannot help but bear fruit that will honor the Father.
The only names of Jesus’ character that you need to know are that “He is the way maker, the miracle worker, the promise keeper and the light in the darkness”. Let those truths become a reality in your life and you will experience a fresh new overcoming relationship with the Lord!
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Post 71 Jesus is Lord! Part – 3
Remember each of the Gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John were recounting the life of Jesus and in particular the ministry of Jesus on earth. Each Gospel writer was writing from a different perspective and to a slightly different audience. The first three Gospels cover approximately the same materials and are referred to as the Synoptic Gospels. The word synopsis means a summary. John’s Gospel is unique in that it is not so much a summary of Jesus’ life and ministry but is a clear look at Jesus as God incarnate. In other words that Jesus is God!
John focuses his writing on the miracles of Jesus not as events but as a sign of Jesus’ power and authority over nature and life. All of the signs point to the fact that Jesus must be God in the flesh.
Now we will continue to look at the miracles of Jesus. I discussed the first four miracles in the last post. I will continue with the next three.
Miracle Five – John 6 Jesus Walks on the Sea
Jesus showed that He had control over the physical laws of nature by walking on water.
15 Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.
16 Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them. 18 Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. 19 So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. 20 But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21 Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediatelythe boat was at the land where they were going.
Miracle Six – John 9 A Man Born Blind Receives Sight
Jesus demonstrated His authority over congenital defects, by healing the man who was blind from birth.
1 Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. 4 I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
6 When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. 7 And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing.
Miracle Seven – John 11 Lazarus Raised from the Dead
The greatest miracle was shown by Jesus’ authority over death itself.
38 Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”
40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” 43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” 44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”
Conclusion
- Jesus showed that He had control over the physical laws of nature by walking on water.
- Jesus demonstrated His authority over congenital defects, by healing the man who was blind from birth.
- The greatest miracle was shown by Jesus’ authority over death itself.
What is very true of our God is that nothing is impossible with Him and that everything seen, and unseen was created by Him. Link that with the fact that God loves you and you have a God that will move Heaven and earth for you!
John 21:25 “And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen”.
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Post 70 Jesus is Lord (God)! Part 2
Seven Miracles found in the Gospel of John
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Miracle One – John 2, Water Turned to Wine.
Jesus demonstrated his power over time by instantly changing water into wine.
1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” 4 Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.”
5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”
6 Now there were set there six water pots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. 9 When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. 10 And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!” 11 This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.Miracle Two – John 4, A Nobleman’s Son Healed.
Jesus showed his control of space by healing the nobleman’s son from a distance of several miles away.
46 So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.”
49 The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. 51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, “Your son lives!”
52 Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” And he himself believed, and his whole household.
54This again is the second sign Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.Miracle Three – John 5, A Man Healed at the Pool of Bethesda.
The Lord’s authority over infirmity was shown by the cure of the man at the pool of Bethesda.
1 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. 5 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” 7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” (Dependence on man and not God!)
8 Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” 9 And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.Miracle Four – John 6, Feeding the Five Thousand.
Jesus demonstrated His authority over lack by feeding the 5000 with 5 loaves and 2 fishes.
1 After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased. 3 And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples.
4 Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near. 5 Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” 6 But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.
7 Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.”
8 One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, 9 “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?”
10 Then Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. 11 And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.” 13 Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. 14 Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”Conclusion
- Jesus demonstrated his power over time by instantly changing water into wine.
- Jesus showed his control of space by healing the nobleman’s son from a distance of several miles away.
- The Lord’s authority over infirmity was shown by the cure of the man at the pool of Bethesda.
- Jesus demonstrated His authority over lack by feeding the 5000 with 5 loaves and 2 fishes.
Whatever your need is, Jesus is willing and able to show Himself strong on your behalf. Just trust Him and walk by faith and not by sight. Don’t listen to those around you who try to put doubt and fear in your mind.
That’s all we have time for today. I will continue with the other three miracles found in John’s Gospel next time.
Until then may God Bless you abundantly…
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Post 69 Jesus is Lord (God)!
THE GOSPEL RECORD
The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John provide the most accurate record of who Jesus is. Each of the Gospel writers was present during the life of Jesus. Matthew, Mark, and John were three of the twelve Apostles. Luke was a companion of the Apostle Paul and must have known the other Apostles as well. They wrote first-hand accounts of Jesus’ ministry on earth. While each of them wrote from different perspectives, as you would expect from four different witnesses, all of them left no doubt that Jesus was God in the flesh.
I’m going to take a brief look at each of the Gospels before we focus on the miracles of Jesus in the Gospel of John
GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
The Gospel of Matthew was written by a Jew to a Jewish audience who knew the Old Testament scriptures. Matthew wanted to show that Jesus was the promised Messiah of the Old Testament. That Jesus was the fulfillment of time-awaited prophecy. As a result, Matthew uses the expression, “that it might be fulfilled”, meaning that Jesus fulfilled the prophecies. He quotes more from the Old Testament than any of the other Gospel writers.
Matthew emphasizes the teaching nature of Jesus and the theme of the “kingdom of heaven or the kingdom of God” as a means of describing Jesus’ rule on the earth and in the human heart. Matthew left no doubt about the deity of Jesus.
GOSPEL OF MARK
The Gospel of Mark was probably the first Gospel written. Many theologians believe that Matthew and Luke may have used Mark’s Gospel as a source of information. Mark’s Gospel is the shortest of the Gospels and written to a Gentile (non-Jewish) audience, probably to those who were Romans.
Mark focuses on Jesus as the suffering servant who ministers to the physical and spiritual needs of those He was sent to.
The message of Mark’s Gospel is that Jesus was a man of action and His message was urgent and important. Mark demonstrates to the Roman mind, that Jesus was the son of God. He even uses a Roman soldier’s words at Jesus’ crucifixion, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39).
GOSPEL OF LUKE
Luke was a Gentile and wrote to a Gentile audience. He starts with Jesus’ birth and because Luke also wrote the Book of Acts, you could say, the birth of the Church. In Luke, there are many parables that are not recorded in the other Gospels. Jesus is portrayed as the compassionate Savior of the world. It is important to know that the words Savior, Messiah, and Christ have the same meaning but in different languages. Savior is English, Messiah is Hebrew, and Christ is Greek. All of these terms are used to describe the nature of Jesus- to rescue the lost. Which is the nature of God!
The Gospel of Luke is universal in appeal in that he is all-inclusive. Luke’s Gospel is for all people, Jew or Gentile, male or female, rich or poor, slave or free, and noble or outcast!
Luke emphasizes the work of the Holy Spirit and the importance of prayer in Jesus’ life and ministry. This is of course to meant to be an example to us all… the work of the Holy Spirit and prayer!
GOSPEL OF JOHN
John’s Gospel is the most theological of the Gospels with its focus on who Jesus is rather than what He did. The purpose of John’s Gospel message is found in John 20:31, “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you have life in His name”.
John’s Gospel is the divine gospel in that it clearly demonstrates through seven miracles and seven statements that Jesus is God! The number 7 is considered to be God’s number, the number of perfection or completion.
THE NUMBER SEVEN
Before we look at the seven miracles found in the Gospel of John lets turn our attention to the number seven.
While the Bible does not explicitly say that the number seven is a holy number, Christiansand Jews consider seven to be a holy number.
Genesis says that God completed or perfected creation in six days. Then God rested on the seventh day. The Hebrew word for the seventh day is Shabbat or Sabbath. Since God rested on the Sabbath that is God’s day and is known as the seventh day.
Since man was created on the sixth day, the number six represents man a creation, not a creator; less than God!
As a side note, the early Hebrews and Greeks did not have a number system. The Arabic number system we use today was not created until the 6thor 7thcentury by the Hindu’s in India.
Because God completed His work and rested on the seventh day, that’s the reason for the observance of the Hebrew Sabbathon the last day of the week. Remember Sabbath means the seventh day.
For Christians the triple 7 as in 777 represents the threefold perfection of the Trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit each a seven.
Most people know that the number 666 represents the number of the “beast”. Revelation 13:18 says, “Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666”.
Remember, 6 is less than 7. I heard someone say that the 666 means, “not God, not God, not God”! It makes perfect sense to me.
THE SEVEN SIGNS IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
Signs and wonders, or miracles, are indicators or point to something. Just as a street sign points to a direction or name of the street. In the same way, God’s miracles point to the divinity of Jesus and the following:
- That Jesus is God
- That Jesus is the healer
- That Jesus is the provider
- That Jesus has conquered death
- That we can trust in Jesus
Next time we will look at the seven Miracles found in John’s Gospel.
- Cana Wedding; water into wine… 2:1
- Jesus heals the nobleman’s son… 4:46
- Jesus heals the paralytic… 5:1
- Jesus feeds the 5000… 6:1
- Jesus walks on water… 6:15
- Jesus heals the blind man… 9:1
- Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead… 11:1
CONCLUSION – JESUS IS GOD AND HE IS AT WORK… IN US!
- John 14:12“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father”.
