King James Bible Study – [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. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Chapters: John Chapters 17-18
Message: Christ’s Chosen
Hello My Friend,
I apologize for getting this out late, I never know when my mom is going to have a bad morning and she has been having a rough couple of mornings. I have read where the stress and tension of being a caregiver to an ailing parent caused breakups in families and marriages and I can see why it is possible, but I can also see how it is possible to bring them closer. God, works in such mysterious ways sometimes, but as I was reading the chapters for today, I realize that this is the hard part, the easy part is trusting that He has a better plan and as long as we have Jesus on our side, He is not only rooting for us, He is praying for us.
[John 17:24-26 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. 26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.]
Jesus, was about to go through the most horrific pain that anyone could ever endure and yet the last thing He did before it was about to happen was pray for His chosen. As we read through the Gospels we learned that Jesus often prayed for His people, or I should say, His chosen as He chooses those who receive Him to be one of His very own who would continue preaching the Gospel to the lost. I know we read this yesterday, but I did not touch on it.
[John 15:15-16 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.] As we continue in the reading of the Gospels, we learn from John how Jesus prays for His chosen.
[John 17:1-6 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: 2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. 6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.]
[with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.] I can understand that it can be a little confusing in our human comprehension that God and Jesus are one in the same, and has been here forever, but that is what faith is for, it is the glue that makes everything that we learn about God and Jesus stick, [Hebrews 11:1,6 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.]
[unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world:] Jesus, is referring to mankind here, men, women, and children, and as I said yesterday, anyone who truly loves God will believe in all that Jesus is. I will add to that and say that they will accept that He is not only the Son of God, but God Himself. Well, at least once they start reading His Word and learn that He is, and of course, it is the Holy Spirit, that teaches them those things, [John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.]
As Jesus continues His prayer, we learn that He prays specifically for His chosen, [John 17:8-11 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. 9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. 10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. 11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.]
[keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one,] This is why all of His chosen are known as brothers and sisters in Christ, we are one body of believers joined together through our faith in Him, when one is hurting we all hurt, likewise, when one is rejoicing we all rejoice.
[1 Corinthians 12:24-26 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.]
Christ’s chosen, like a close family really do come together as one when something tragic happens, but the truth is our immediate family is not always there for us. In fact, in regards to Jesus being here in the flesh, none of His half brothers and sisters were even there for Him, but it really was imperative that Jesus face His passion alone. We may not understand at the time when we are suffering why we feel like we are lost, but after we endure it we will understand why it was necessary. As Jesus continues His prayer, we learn that His chosen are never lost.
[John 17:12-17 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. 13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.]
[and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition;] [Perdition; Entire loss or ruin; utter destruction; The utter loss of the soul or of final happiness in a future state; eternal death.] The son of eternal death, these are men, women, and children (of accountable age), whom are well aware of Christ, but have rejected Him or never received Him when they had been given the opportunity, [Revelation 21:7-8 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.]
Jesus, in particular is referring to Judas Iscariot, who was about to hand Him over to the wolves so to speak. None who truly believe in God are kept from the knowledge of Christ, and none who truly believe in Christ are lost, but the reprobates and those whom never accepted Christ when they had their breath in them. Jesus, was not done, He goes on to pray for His chosen that would come after hearing the Gospel.
[John 17:20-23 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.]
[the glory which thou gavest me I have given them;] So, exactly what is the glory that Jesus is speaking about and what makes Christ’s chosen as one with Him? The Holy Spirit. This is why Jesus said that He must leave here before the Holy Spirit officially made His presence in the world, without the Holy Spirit in us we are not one with Him, [1 Corinthians 12:12-13 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.]
I am beginning to think that Jesus prays like I often pray, whatever comes to mind. I start talking to God about something, then stop and start talking about something else, only to go right back to what I started talking to Him about. Sometimes I think God likes it that way as it lets Him know that we are coming to Him with everything. Up until now I thought that Jesus prayed that prayer when He was in the garden in Gethsemane, but He was in another garden at that time. We learn this because Jesus went from Jerusalem across the brook Cedron to Gethsemane, where He continued praying and the angel ministered to Him, but John bypasses all that and goes directly to when Judas Iscariot brought the authorities.
[John 18:1-4 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. 2 And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. 3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?]
[with his disciples over the brook Cedron,] Although Jesus was not running from those who intended to fulfill the prophecy, interestingly, Jesus, took the path that David took when he was on the run from his son Absalom, who tried to kill him, [2 Samuel 15:23 And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.] Gethsemane, was on the other side of this garden, on the Mount of Olives, where Jesus often prayed with the disciples there and where He was captured also.
[went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?] Jesus, was well aware of who they were looking for, but I find it utterly ridiculous that they did not know who they were looking at and that Judas had to point it out. Then something incredible happened as they approached Jesus.
[John 18:5-11 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. 6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. 7 Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. 8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: 9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none. 10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. 11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?]
[if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:] This was the time that Jesus would be glorified through His suffering on the cross for His chosen, it was not the time for anyone else to be captured and die for following Him. Had they been captured with Jesus and crucified with Him, it would have given a false representation of the Gospel in that all of His children would suffer and die for their faith. While many were in fact killed and are still being killed today for their faith, it is not for His chosen to die for their faith, rather become living sacrifices, [Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.]
Jesus, came here for one purpose and that was to give His sinless body as the unblemished sacrifice needed in order for God Himself to be satisfied with the offering forever and redeem His chosen. Every single thing, from Christ’s virgin birth to His crucifixion was written in the prophecies and has come to pass exactly as it was written. Now, after they took Jesus they brought Him to Annas first.
[John 18:12-15,19 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, 13 And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. 14 Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. 15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. 19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.]
[high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.] Do not let anyone fool you into believing that they have no idea what Jesus is all about and what He teaches. They knew exactly what Jesus taught the entire time, and every bit of it was written in the Scriptures, which is why Jesus responded the way that He did.
[John 18:20-23 Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. 21 Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said. 22 And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so? 23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?]
[Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me,] There was no need for them to question His doctrine because they all knew that He was in the temple teaching them. Of course, there were several false witnesses attempting to say that He had said something that went against the Law or their law, but none of them could make their accusations fit. Oh yes, they knew exactly what Jesus taught the entire time, and every bit of it was written in the Scriptures, which is why they tried to kill Jesus from the start, [Psalms 69:3-4 I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God. 4 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.]
Caiaphas, was supposed to be representing God, and yet he was the leader of the pack that led to their crucifying Jesus. And now we are getting to the event that led up to Christ being sentenced to death by crucifixion. These men were too spineless to kill Jesus themselves, using the Passover to justify their reason for not doing so. Back then whenever someone was captured, they were sent to the judge right away and it did not matter what time of day it was. So, they sent Him to the governor, Pontius Pilate, who happened to be there on business.
[John 18:28-32 Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover. 29 Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man? 30 They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee. 31 Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: 32 That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.]
[If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him] [Malefactor; One who commits a crime; one guilty of violating the laws, in such a manner as to subject him to public prosecution and punishment, particularly to capital punishment; a criminal.] Notice that they said to judge Jesus according to the law of the land, but Pilate said to judge Him according to the Scriptures. They accounted Him as one of those who were guilty of crimes that were not even existent. Let me tell you, Satan make up all kinds of garbage in order to overthrow the Scriptures and those who live by them. Nevertheless, he will never prevail, and while unfortunately many will go the way of Satan, a few will, in fact, find Jesus in the midst of their own trials, [Romans 8:36-37 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.]
Pilate, had no idea who Jesus was, and yet the first question he asks Him is if He were the King of the Jews, [John 18:33-36 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? 34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? 35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? 36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.]
[Sayest thou this thing of thyself,] Do you know how many people talk about Jesus, but have no idea who He is? Ninety-nine percent of the news people get about Jesus is hearsay, never having actually read the Bible for themselves. While we do not need a Bible to know who Jesus is, we do need to understand that Jesus was never sent here to be king of any earthly kingdom, He is the KING of His chosen in His Kingdom, [Revelation 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.]
Now, as Pilate continues to question Jesus, he may not have known what He was talking about, but he did know one thing, He did not deserve to die, [John 18:37-40 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. 38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. 39 But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? 40 Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.]
[Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.] This is exactly why no true believer of Christ can denounce their faith, it is also why no true believer will doubt the Godhead and why Jesus does not choose everyone who claims they have faith in Him. True believers will hear the truth and accept it completely, and not just whatever they want to believe, [Romans 10:8-11 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [John 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.]
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, Thank You for the great sacrifice that You made so that I might be one with You and enjoy eternal life with You. I know You have chosen me and for that reason, help me to submit solely to You, with all the joy, peace, and comfort that only comes from You who is mine. Lord, just as You are the example that I need to follow let me be the example for someone else to follow in hopes that they too can find You. And even though I must face lots of trials and persecution, I know that You are my strength to see me through. I ask this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Do You Know Jesus?: https://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/ready-to-follow-jesus/
Receive The KJB Daily Devotions In Your Email: http://eepurl.com/2WMzT
Read Previous Devotions: https://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/
Read The Bible: http://kingjamesbible.imfollowingjesus.com/
Visit I’m Following Jesus: https://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/welcome/
Like I’m Following Jesus On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byhisstrength
Copyright © 2024 I’m Following Jesus, All rights reserved.