King James Bible Study – [Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.]
Date: Thursday, October 06, 2022
Chapters: JOHN 2-4
Study: Believing In The Miracles By Faith
Hello My Friend,
Many people believe in the existence of Christ, but do they actually believe that He is the Son of God, and even God Himself in the flesh? Most religions paint Him as a prophet or some mere preacher man who was martyred for His faith, and sadly, believe that He is still dead. People want to see a miracle before they fully believe in Christ, but I tell you what, all miracles come from God, they happen every day, religion is too blind to see them because they really do not seek Christ for who He is, [Hebrews 4:1-3 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.]
As we continue in the reading of the Gospels, Jesus, has only been in His ministry for a few days, He and the disciples are invited to a wedding that His mother, Mary was also there. They ran out of wine when Mary suggested that He perhaps produce some wine, [John 2:1-5 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. 4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. 5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.]
[Woman, what have I to do with thee?] Maybe Mary was proud to be the mother of God’s only begotten Son, and wanted to show Him off a little bit? Maybe she wanted to see for herself what He could do, after all, He was just like them for the longest time. Maybe when she found out that Jesus finally had those special powers after all these years, she wanted to see what He is capable of? Whatever the reason, Mary wanted see Jesus do something miraculous, and Jesus accommodated her. She also makes it a point to make sure the servants knew that they were to do exactly what He tells them to do.
[John 2:7-12 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. 9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. 11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. 12 After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.]
[and his disciples believed on him.] All it took for the disciples to believe on Him is seeing Him turn some water into wine. And we should always understand that this was not alcoholic, it was some sort of fruit juice. Jesus, would never produce anything that would alter our spirit, nor would He encourage us to consume or do anything that would bring sin, [Proverbs 31:4-7 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: 5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. 6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. 7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.]
The Scribes and Pharisees were well aware of the Scriptures as far as they were concerned, they were really good at helping people find their way, even so kind as to have a market for people to buy the sacrifices they needed to make atonement and peace with God as they were heading up to the temple to worship God (I am being sarcastic here). As we know, Jesus went into Jerusalem every year for the Passover, when He arrived, He disrupted their little enterprise.
[John 2:15-21 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; 16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise. 17 And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. 18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? 19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? 21 But he spake of the temple of his body.]
[The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.] By this time, perhaps some of the disciples are getting into the Law to see what else it says regarding the Messiah, they were referring to this verse, [Psalms 69:9 For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.]
[What sign shewest thou unto us,] They wanted some kind of proof that Jesus is the one that was written in the Scriptures, and He gave them a sign all right, [Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.] Of course, Jesus was speaking of Himself when they would crucify Him and He would resurrect three days later, but notice how He says it [I will raise it up.] Right then and there, He is telling them all that He is God in the flesh, yet they were so blind that they thought He was referring to the actual building. There were many who did believe Him to be the Christ, and Jesus knew exactly who they were, [John 2:23-25 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. 24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.]
Both the world and religion are blind to the truth, which is why we are sent out there to preach it. If we can somehow get through to those who are starting to wonder if what they have been taught is the true then we would have aided in seeing a soul saved. There were some who that started wondering that perhaps Jesus is the Christ, although they may not have been very open about it. Nicodemus, being a Pharisee, and somewhat well known to the people was one of them, he secretly met with Jesus and asked Him some questions.
[John 3:1-4 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?]
[How can a man be born when he is old?] Nicodemus, was hearing something that he had never heard before, of course, he is seeing this picture, perhaps he pictured it like so many still do today, that when someone dies they are reincarnated into another body. Well, Jesus, explained it this way, [John 3:5-7 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.]
In other words, Jesus, is telling him that when we are born we do not have the Spirit of God inside of us, and that is what keeps us from getting to heaven. Well, there was a solution that would solve that problem, we must be born again. Of course, Nicodemus, did not understand that statement, and I will be honest, I never even heard of this when I was raised as a Catholic. So, I can understand why he had these questions, but watch how Jesus responds when he asked Him how this was made possible.
[John 3:9-15 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? 13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.]
[even so must the Son of man be lifted up] Right there, Jesus, is telling Nicodemus that He must die in order for this to happen. Until we have the Spirit of God inside us, we cannot ascend up to heaven, if fact, our flesh cannot ascend up to heaven at all, it is our soul that goes up there, if we have been born again. Some churches when we sing Happy Birthday to those having a birthday for the week, will sing it this way, [Happy Birthday to you, only one will not do, Born again means salvation, how many have you?] There must be a time in our lives that we have received the Spirit of God into our souls, but accepting the Gospel of Christ, otherwise, there is no salvation.
[John 3:18-21 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.]
[that his deeds may be made manifest,] Can you see how our works count only after we are saved? You see, Jesus knows those who are true believers and who are not. There are people all over the world praising Jesus and all the things He has done, but they are not true worshipers. Why? One can know who Jesus is, and even believe in His death, burial, and resurrection, but unless they personally believe in and receive Him as their Saviour, then they are not born of the Spirit, hence, they will not receive eternal life, and God will not recognize their works. Jesus, is not the only one who said this, even John the Baptist did. Remember, how John tells his side of the story a little differently? Well, he actually tells us what was going on right after Jesus had started His ministry, and before John the Baptist had gotten arrested.
[John 3:26-28,30,33-36 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. 27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. 28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. 34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. 35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. 36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.]
[and hath given all things into his hand.] While God and Jesus are one in the same, they each have a different role as a person, Jesus, being in charge of all souls, [Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.]
Let me tell you, it truly is a joy to see someone bow their head and trust Christ as their Saviour, it gives you a spiritual high that nothing else we ever do for Christ does. These people witnessed the miracles that Jesus performed the entire time He was here in the flesh, yet they refused to believe and get saved. One can deny the fact that Jesus is the Son of God all they want, but that does not mean anything, He cannot deny Himself, He knows who He is and so do those who actually believe in Him. This is exactly why Jesus opened the door to salvation to the Gentiles, and He did not wait until He resurrected. In fact, He purposely went through Samaria to reach them with the Gospel.
[John 4:4-7,9-11 And he must needs go through Samaria. 5 Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. 7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. 9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. 10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. 11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?]
[from whence then hast thou that living water?] Again, these people are hearing something that they have never heard before. There are some that believe Jesus only came to save the Jews, but Jesus came to save all who believe in God, He proved this several times, but the most notable is this Samaritan woman, we do not even know her name, but we would come to know her faith.
[John 4:13-15,21-24 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. 15 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. 21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.]
[and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.] There is that phrase again, [God is a Spirit:] and Jesus is basically telling this woman the same thing that He told Nicodemus, we must be alive in the Spirit and those who believe this will worship Him in His Spirit and in truth, [1 John 5:6,9-11 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.]
Well, that woman did not need to hear anything else, she dropped her water pot and ran home to tell the people that she has found the Messiah Himself, or rather, He had found her, [John 4:28-30,39-42 The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, 29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? 30 Then they went out of the city, and came unto him. 39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. 40 So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his own word; 42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.]
[not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves,] God started with the Jews, very few accept Him still today because they refuse to believe God’s own Word. He chose the Jews to show the rest of the world that there is only One God, but He has always accepted all who came to Him. God has never only been the God of the Jews, and has always been the God of all who receive Him as their Saviour, [Isaiah 43:9-11 Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth. 10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. 11 I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.]
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, Thank You for the gift of my salvation, I know that it is not by my own works that I am saved from death and hell for my sins, but by Your finished work. You died a sinless death, was buried, and arose from the grave three days later. And You not only saved me from an eternity in hell, You assure me that I have eternal life with You. Lord, it can be hard to worship You in spirit and truth when I get overwhelmed with life, lead me and guide me, fill me with Your grace, love, and wisdom to do whatever it is that You call me to do. I love You Lord and ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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