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: Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Chapters: John Chapters 7-8
Message: The Flow of Living Water
Hello My Friend,
I have been watching the devastation going on from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and it is quite sad to see so many people who not only lost their homes and belongings, but lives as well. This is a reminder that, rich or poor, black, white, yellow, or red, Jew or Gentile, we all need the Saviour. If we want a sweeter life beyond this life with no more pain, sorrow, or even death, then we need to come to the Saviour and drink from His fountain of living water to our soul. Now, we can choose to believe that or not, and the choice is ours, but only we can quench the fiery pits of hell to our soul by accepting Christ as our Saviour, [John 7:37-38 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.]
As we continue in the reading of the Gospels, John, records what happened during the Feast of Tabernacles (Booths), after He had given His sermon about being the bread of life and how many of them walked away from Him the second He told them that they had to eat His flesh and drink His blood, [John 6:54-55,60,65-66 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? 65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. 66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.]
Jesus, went to Galilee instead of Jerusalem because the Jews were trying to kill Him, [John 7:1-6 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. 2 Now the Jews’ feast of tabernacles was at hand. 3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. 4 For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. 5 For neither did his brethren believe in him. 6 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.]
[For neither did his brethren believe in him.] Jewry means Judea, it was a district inhabited by the Pharisees who were trying to find every reason they could to have Jesus killed. It is sad to learn that in regards to His human side and earthly family that the majority of his half-brothers and sisters, cousins, and other kin did not believe in Him until after His passion. Their reasoning was that if He were truly the Messiah, then He would not be keeping who He is just within Judah, He would be public about it and show Himself to all who would be at the feast. Of course, Jesus responds with [My time is not yet come:]
So what did He mean by saying, [but your time is alway ready.]? Jesus, explains it. [John 7:7-13 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. 8 Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come. 9 When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee. 10 But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. 11 Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he? 12 And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people. 13 Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.]
[The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth,] In other words, because they were of the world, they were loved by them, but He is hated by the world because what He does is convict them. And let me tell you, still today, the reason why the world hates and seeks to destroy God fearing Christians is because even looking at Jesus brings self-conviction, [John 15:21-23 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. 23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also.]
[Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.] The Feast of Booths (Tabernacles), was one of the three great Jewish festivals in the Temple, so they expected Him to be there. They were in a sense tempting Jesus, trying to get Him to “Show Himself to the world” so that they could see that He is truly the Messiah. Well, it was not time for Jesus to be captured and that was the reason for His response. However, He, did show up, in fact, He went into the Temple and started preaching to them.
[John 7:15-19 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? 16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. 17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. 18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. 19 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?]
[none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?] So, Jesus, is bluntly stating the fact that since none of them keep the Law then there is no need to be trying to kill Him, even if He was guilty. This is why Jesus said not to judge anyone unless you want to be judged, even if it may appear that one is guilty, that was after they accused Him of being possessed of a devil.
[John 7:20-24 The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee? 21 Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel. 22 Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. 23 If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day? 24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.]
[Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?] Do you see how they responded when He told them that He knew that they were trying to kill Him? While no one needs to justify themselves, when we get falsely accused we get defensive, but call out a true liar and see what happens. Well, Jesus caused quite an uproar, you could say that He was the talk of the town as everyone had their own opinion.
[John 7:26-30 But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ? 27 Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is. 28 Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. 29 But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me. 30 Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.]
[Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?] Oh, talk about salt hitting a wound, these egos are going to be fuming after hearing this and that is exactly what happened. The Pharisees and chief priests could not stand hearing that there were people in the crowd believing that He is the Messiah.
[John 7:32-36 The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him. 33 Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. 34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come. 35 Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles? 36 What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?]
[Then said the Jews among themselves,] Now, notice how they are separated now as these religious nuts were the ones to call themselves Jews. At this point, the Jews were no longer seen as sons of Israel (Jacob), rather a religion.
[John 7:40-42,45-47 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet. 41 Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? 42 Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? 45 Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him? 46 The officers answered, Never man spake like this man. 47 Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?]
[That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem,] Let me tell you, if they have to try to convince you that their lies are true, then they are truly the liars that they are. If they bothered to pay attention they would have known that Jesus, is of David, and was born in Bethlehem, but their hatred toward Him blinded them from accepting the truth, [Luke 2:4-5,7 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.]
[Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?] It is funny how everyone gets along until you disagree with them? Do you see what they are doing here? They were trying to get people to question the Bible. You know, these religions are only making themselves look like the fools they are by believing in their rules, traditions, doctrines, whatever it is they are using to keep their followers. Perhaps one of my favorite accounts given to Jesus when He would make the Pharisees look like the fools they were was when they had brought this married woman to Him who had been caught with another man.
[John 8:1-5 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. 2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. 3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?]
[brought unto him a woman taken in adultery;] They put this poor woman in front of everyone in the Temple as if she were not ashamed enough as it were being caught. And where was the man that she was with, why was he not there with her, if they were truly following the Law? I love the response that Jesus gave, He spoke not a word just wrote something on the ground.
[John 8:6-8 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. 7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.]
[Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground,] Everyone would love to know what it was the Jesus was writing on the ground. Maybe He wrote the woman’s name, or the word, “Forgiven”, or maybe He wrote down the names of the men. Nevertheless, He wrote something twice and when He finally spoke He only said one thing to them that caused them to scatter, [He that is without sin among you,]
One by one, each person left, convicted in their own heart that they had some kind of sin they were guilty of. That was when He stood up and did something that none of them ever saw before, [John 8:10-12 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. 12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.]
[Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.] Our salvation is not justification to live in sin, and by live in sin I am referring to one who knowingly commits sin using their salvation to justify their reason for continuing to live in their sin, [1 Corinthians 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.]
When God gave the Law, adultery carried the same punishment as disrespecting your parents, which is death, it was never meant to be for those who occasionally sinned, which was the reason for the animal sacrifices. God, gave us His Word as a guide to show that there are blessings that come to those who follow Him wholeheartedly and curses that come to those who really have no intention of following Him, but put on a good show. Now, Jesus, confronts the Pharisees who questioned His accountability.
[John 8:13-16 The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true. 14 Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. 15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. 16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.]
[Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.] How in the world can someone just stand there and call you are a liar? That is basically what they were telling Jesus. I bet at this point, He just wanted to smack them all, I know I want to just reading how they were treating Him. Well, He is a much better person than I am because He just continued to reason with them.
[John 8:21-25 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come. 22 Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come. 23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. 25 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.]
[Then said they unto him, Who art thou?] My goodness, how many times are they going to ask Him that question? Jesus, did what every true and faithful servant of God does when they stand by their faith and in His Word, He did not judge them, He just brought them to their own conviction. However, the more He spoke the more He riled them up.
[John 8:28-33 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. 29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. 30 As he spake these words, many believed on him. 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?]
[Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him,] Now, Jesus is separating the Jewish believers from the non-believers and speaks directly to them, [John 8:37-41 I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. 38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. 39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. 40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. 41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.]
[We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.] They were seriously saying that God was their Father? Those who truly believe in God will also believe in all that Jesus is and when they do that and accept Him as their Saviour, that is when God makes them one of His children, [Romans 8:14-17 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.]
On the other hand, those who refuse to believe this are of the devil because even though he is well aware of Jesus, he will never submit himself to Jesus at least to save his own life. And Jesus, calls them out for who they truly were, and while they might have been the promised seed of Abraham, they were not his children, and neither was God, which is what Jesus goes on to say.
[John 8:43-48 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. 46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? 47 He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. 48 Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?]
[Why do ye not understand my speech?] And this is exactly why Jesus often spoke in parables, it did not matter how plain He said it, they still did not believe in Him. This time, they not only accuse Him of being of the devil, they called Him a Samaritan, a half breed Jew. This tells me that they all of their efforts to discredit Him failed and they were just scrambling to find any reason to discredit Him. But the thing that got them riled up even more was that Jesus admitted that He knew Abraham, in fact, was here before him.
[John 8:53-59 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? 54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: 55 Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. 57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? 58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. 59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.]
[Before Abraham was, I am.] The religious cannot see past their eyeballs, and even then, all they see is what they want to see. Had any of these fools really studied the Scriptures and believed them, then they would have seen that Jesus is the Messiah and has been here from the start. In fact, has always been because He is truly God in the flesh. We must have a submissive spirit to truly understand all that God has to show us. Will He show us everything? No. Some things He wants us to trust and believe by faith alone, [Hebrews 10:36-38 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.]
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, Thank You again for the sacrifice You made for me, I do not have eternal life based on any thing that I have done, but my faith and trust in what You have done. Lord, lead me and guide me, give me Your power to discern the truth from the lies, help me to live not by man’s word, but by Yours, for I know You are the way, the truth, and the life. While people may come and go in my life, You will never leave nor forsake me no matter how many times I mess up. Thank You for Your grace, mercy, and never ending love. In pray this in Your name Jesus, Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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