The Devotional - jhn01

The Devotional

Comment: At most every sporting event you see the victorious actions of those participants and fans. Fists shooting into the air and pulled down quickly, shouts of “yeah, we did it!” we won! Exciting moments in time. Really, is this all of it, or better said… “Is that all there is?” For the professional and the fan, this could indeed be all since there are many factors that become important changes for the future. For example, a serious injury may end the career of the sports professional and the fan could find another sport or team to root for. Maybe that favorite team will move to another state such as the Saint Louis Cardinals did when the team moved from Louisville, Kentucky to Saint Louis, Missouri when I was just a teenager. What I am seeking to say is that all of the temporal happiness of time can evaporate before the last victory celebration ends, yet there remains a completed victory that will never die.

Challenge: I would like to begin a look at the Gospel According to John, at the moment I am not sure that it will be a complete walk through of the gospel, but I am praying for it to be just that. Your prayers on this will help and I thank you for praying. I like to use a reference Bible rather than a study Bible that contains many notes from Bible teachers concerning the text of the Word. This is not to say that I will not look at sources of Bible commentary, I most certainly do. My preference however is to utilize the Holy Spirit, who is very capable of giving all of us the wisdom of God’s Word, John 16:13-15.

“Just as a coin has two sides, both valid, so Jesus Christ has two natures, BOTH VALID. Luke in his gospel presents Jesus Christ in His humanity (as a physical human being) as the Son of Man; John reveals Jesus in His Deity as the Son of God, both writers are clear. One proves the existence of “thee Man of God” and the other proves the need for the world to know “Thee God of man”. John records seven events or miracles leading to the physical Resurrection of Jesus Christ, his purpose is to reveal the seven “I AM” statements of Christ.

Another comment before we begin. The original titles of each of the four gospels are changed. The Greek Word “Kata” meaning “According to” Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. The word “gospel” is added to each of these books of the writers. Now this is important in my mind so I will seek to explain. The Greek word “euaggelizo” is our word of “gospel” meaning the announcement of a good message, or as we say, “Good news” and the gospels are good new. With the gospel of John in view the Greek word of John is “Ioannes” and is derived from the Hebrew name “Johanan” meaning, “God has been Gracious”.

What could be said in addition to this? Not one of the messages of all four gospels speaking of the Servant, Man, King and God Himself has anything to do with a sad, poor or negative message. God has and always will be gracious to everyone who calls upon the Name of the LORD. For the scripture continually says, “whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame, for there is no distinction between the Jew or the Greek, for the same LORD over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For whoever calls upon the Name of the LORD shall be saved, Romans 10:11-13.

Just as Matthew, Mark, Luke and John were eye-witnesses of Him and revealed His Truth, and Jesus Himself states clearly the following. “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. And whatever you ask in My Name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My Name I will do it – John 14:12-14.

Now let me qualify this somewhat; Jesus is not talking about some “hocus pocus” formula or any religious ritual to repeat or do. Jesus and the writers of the gospels are talking about “FAITH” without faith in the gospel of God, God will never be pleased with the works and the self-righteousness conduct of mankind. God is only pleased with what is believed by faith about the revealed Truth of His Son, (Matthew 3:17 and 2 Peter 1:17).