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: Thursday, November 16, 2023
Chapters: JOHN 19-21
Message: The Lord is My Portion
Hello My Friend,
I was sitting at work feeling really bad about my job and how I have tried so hard to show the bosses that I was more than just some number who just gets by on the cusp of their license. Then God reminded me that He has better plans for me so I just need to do my job, still with the same respect, until it is time for Him to lead me to where He has purposed me. Well, yesterday we learn from Charles Spurgeon that we who believe in Christ are more than just a number, we are God’s portion, but today, we learn of how He is our portion, [Within the circumference of that circle lies all that we possess or desire. The Lord is my portion. Not his grace merely, nor his love, nor his covenant, but Jehovah himself. He has chosen us for his portion, and we have chosen him for ours…The Lord is our all-sufficient portion. God fills himself; and if God is all-sufficient in himself, he must be all-sufficient for us.]
Think about it, if we belong to Jesus through our faith in His Gospel, then He most certainly belongs to us. This is not a fifty-fifty commitment here, this is a one hundred percent commitment that through our faith in Christ He gives His all to us and we in turn give our all to Him. If all we do is receive Christ as our Saviour we have done more to secure our soul than anyone in the world, but imagine what He will do for us by giving Him that one hundred percent all the time, [Lamentations 3:22-25 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. 25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.]
Great truly is thy faithfulness! Just stop and think about all that Jesus did for us, the pain that He bore, and He did it so that we can be with Him forever. As we come to the end of the reading of the Gospels, we come to John’s account of the day that Jesus was judged and sentenced to die. Since John is the one who appeals to us who are in the general population, he gives us more insight into what happened when Pilate tried to compel the people to let Jesus go. I thought it necessary to start with Scripture from John 18 as we did not touch on this when we read it a few days ago. Pilate, was actually kind of confused as to why the Jews brought Him to him for judgment, and Jesus responds to why.
[John 18:35-38 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. 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. 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.]
[Pilate saith unto him, What is truth?] Pilate, had no idea who Jesus is, as far as he was concerned He was just a man who the people were calling the king of the Jews. There was nothing said from either Jesus or the Jews that would convince him that Jesus deserved to die. Pilate, still wanted to release Him, but even if it were an option, I believe the people would have turned on him if he did. In fact, the more he tried to get them to release Him go the louder they got.
[John 19:1-7 Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. 2 And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, 3 And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. 4 Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. 5 Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! 6 When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. 7 The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.]
[because he made himself the Son of God.] That actually made Pilate even more afraid to sentence Jesus to death, but it did not matter what Pilate said, they were determined to have Him killed. Pilate, even tried to convince himself that he had the power to save Jesus from death, but Jesus knew that the only power that could save Him would have come directly from God.
[John 19:8-12 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid; 9 And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? 11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. 12 And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.]
[therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.] When you stop to think about it, God could have sent fire down from heaven and killed everyone of those fools chanting, “Crucify Him!”, that instant. While Jesus did not prove Pilate to be innocent in all this, He did tell him that their sin would be greater than his. While all sin renders the same punishment, and that is death and hell, there are some that are a flat out abomination to God, and they will be judged for them well before their death, [Proverbs 6:16-19 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.]
From that moment, Pilate actually realized that Jesus truly is the Son of God, but Jesus knew that Pilate did not want to deliver Him into their hands. Nevertheless, the keep the mob at bay, he delivered the judgment, [John 19:14-18 And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! 15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. 16 Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. 17 And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: 18 Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.]
[The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.] Think about what they were saying? Was not God supposed to be their Sovereign? And yet here they were proclaiming that their king was a man. We may have people who are in authority over us, but we only have one KING and that is Jesus, [Hebrews 13:15-17 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.]
Those seven things that are an abomination to God, each and every one of those fools chanting, “Crucify Him!” were committing, but not everyone in the crowd was chanting them. Among them were quite a few believers, including Mary Magdalene, Jesus’ mother, and John himself. As Jesus was hanging on the cross, and through an incredible miracle, Jesus, locked eyes on His mother as well as John.
[John 19:23-27 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. 24 They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did. 25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! 27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.]
[that the scripture might be fulfilled,] The Roman soldiers knew the Scriptures? There was more to the Scriptures that they ripped His coat apart and gambled for the pieces, [Psalms 22:16-18 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. 17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. 18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.]
Whether we care to admit it or not, everything is under the power of God, and no one can go against what is already predestined. There are some things that we cannot avoid, and it must come to pass as it is written for even us. And it was not until every bit of the Scripture was fulfilled that Jesus knew it was time to die.
[John 19:25-30 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! 27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. 28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. 29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.]
[And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.] Jesus, did not want to leave His mother fending for herself after He left so, He looks to the one who stood by her the whole time and also stood by Him. When we come to know Christ as our Saviour He does not leave us here to fend for ourselves, we have the Holy Spirit to care for, comfort, and guide us, [John 16:13-14 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. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.]
[Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished,] You know, Jesus, did not have to die at that time, in fact, the other two men were still alive before He did, but right then and there, He told Himself as well as the entire existence of man, “It is finished:” He has run His race, He has finished His course. That is all He asks us to do, to accomplish what He sends us to do so that we can say, “It is finished.” [2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.]
Now, as the Sabbath drew near and the other two men were still alive, in order to speed up the process so they would not be hanging there come sunset, they decided to break their legs, when they came to Jesus and noticed that He had died, one of the soldiers pierced His side with his spear.
[John 19:34-40 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. 35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. 36 For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. 37 And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced. 38 And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. 39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. 40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.]
[And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true:] He that saw it meaning John witnessed all this as we learned that he was walking beside His mother, Mary. John, even records this, [1 John 5:10-11 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.]
Yes, Jesus’ death was enough to break that curse of death passed down to man due to sin, but Jesus took it well beyond that. He not only broke that curse, He gave each and every believer eternal life with Him, not just in heaven, but for eternity in the new earth that He is preparing for us. Now, how did Jesus do that? When He arose from that tomb three days later. John also tells of Mary Magdalene and the other women coming to the tomb on the first day of the week, but he also tells of both him and Peter running to the tomb after they heard that Jesus was not there.
[John 20:1-9 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. 2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. 3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. 4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. 5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. 6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, 7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. 8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. 9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.]
[And he stooping down, and looking in...yet went he not in.] John, ran so fast that he was out of breath, but he did look into the tomb only to find it empty. He looks in and sees the linen cloth that Jesus was wrapped in, and instantly believed that Jesus did swallow up death in victory, and he did not need the Scriptures to point that out to him. Peter, on the other hand needed a little more convincing, he walked into the tomb and found out something rather interesting, [seeth the linen clothes lie, And the napkin…wrapped together in a place by itself.] While the disciples really did not understand the Scriptures that time. Jesus, did say this to Peter, [John 13:7b What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.]
[For as yet they knew not the scripture,] Interestingly enough there really is not much Scripture in the prophecies that do point to Jesus resurrection, but many do give subtle hints, one of them being when God tested Abraham by telling him that He wanted him to offer up Isaac as a sacrifice.
[Genesis 22:3,11-13 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. 11 And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. 12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.]
Jesus, is that sacrificial lamb that was caught up in the thicket. We certainly do not need the Scriptures for us to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, who died a sinless death on the cross, was buried in a tomb, and arose three days later, but they do help us understand it a little bit better. Now, after learning from Peter, John, and Mary that Jesus was not in the tomb they were still trying to grasp what is going on. So, later that day as the disciples and other believers gathered in a room hidden from the Jews, to discuss the matter, Jesus, appears, and something incredible happened. He spoke to them, and breathed on them, literally giving life to their souls.
[John 20:19-25 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. 24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.]
[and thrust my hand into his side,] I imagine the disciples were quite upset that Thomas did not believe them, but Jesus did not appear to them until eight days later, but when he did, they saw a sight that they had never seen before.
[John 20:26-29 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.]
[and be not faithless, but believing.] Do you know how many people see something miraculous right before their eyes and still do not believe in the power of God? Jesus wanted Thomas to understand that seeing Him was not believing in Him, but He must have faith to believe in what he was seeing. You know, we can see some amazing things with our eyes, imagine what we can really see by opening them to Jesus? Blessed are those who have faith and believe without seeing, for they will truly see the power of God working in their lives, [1 John 5:13-15 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.]
Peter and John spent three and a half years ministering to Jesus, now that He was gone the only thing they thought to do was go back to the life they lived before Christ. They discovered, just like the rest of us, that once you receive Christ you cannot go back to the live you lived before receiving Christ. They went fishing with some of the other disciples, but could not catch any fish, until Jesus showed up on the shore and told them where to cast the net, and a hundred and fifty-three fish were caught up in the net. As they returned back to shore with the fish they already find Jesus there with a fire, and food ready for them. While dinning He speaks to Peter, three times asking him the same question.
[John 21:1-6 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. 2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. 4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. 6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.]
[Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.] Is this not how Jesus met them? [Luke 5:2-4 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. 3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. 4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.]
Remember, Jesus told them that they would become fishers of men so, the life they lived before He came into their lives was not at all where they were to return to. It is literally impossible for a saved, born again Christian to return to the life they lived before having received Him as they are now new creatures. Even simple things that we use to do are a reminder that we can do nothing without Christ. At first, no one knew that it was Jesus, but as soon as John saw the fish, he knew right away that it was Jesus. As they returned back to shore with the fish they already find Jesus there with a fire and fish.
[John 21:7-12 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. 8 And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. 9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. 10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. 11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. 12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.]
[they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.] My husband always says that Jesus fed them fish sandwiches. Did you ever notice that Jesus has the best conversations with the disciples as they were eating? Coincidence? I do not think so. Jesus, made it a point to make sure that we understand that while we cannot live by bread alone, He will supply our every need when we trust Him, [Philippians 4:8-9,19 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. 19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.]
So, you see, it is not a bad thing to belong to God because we belong to Him, and as long as we keep on believing that He will supply our every need. Do you understand why God wants you to serve Him even though we are saved by grace and not by any of our works? Jesus, explains the reason why to Peter.
[John 21:15,17-18 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.]
[and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.] This is the great commission in a nutshell, you get saved by grace, then you publicly profess your faith by getting baptized in water, and as you start living your life through Christ, you lead others to Him as well and start the cycle all over again. Why? Because we will not be here on earth forever. And I will tell you this, if we are not leading others to Christ, very few will get saved on their own, and before you know it no one will be getting saved. When Jesus returns, it will be too late to tell anyone about Him because we will not be here, [1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.]
Today’s Prayer: esus, Thank You, again for taking my place on the cross, and for dying to save my soul from death and hell. While I do not need to do anything to keep my salvation for it is now eternal, I do want to live the rest of my time here by patiently as I await eternal life. Through the sorrow, through the pain, through the suffering, keep my eyes, ears, mind, and heart on the truth that I have finished what You have given me to do. LORD, lead me and guide me, keep my heart tender, my faith strong, and my mind in Your mercy and grace, give me Your power to walk by faith and not by sight, and give me Your strength to continue my course patiently until it is done. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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