1.This week, we observed how Jesus fed the five thousand, healed a man born blind, and then raised Lazarus from the dead. In each case, Jesus provided strong evidence of His divinity. Yet, these miracles, as astounding as they were, caused division. Some responded with faith, while others with doubt. What does this teach us about the fact that people can reject God even in the face of strong evidence?

This week, we saw how Jesus revealed His divinity through three impressive miracles—the Feeding of the Five Thousand, the Healing of the Blind Man, and the Raising of Lazarus. These miracles served as clear evidence of His divine power and authority. Nevertheless, they did not lead everyone to faith. Some reacted with joy and belief, while others responded with doubt, rejection, and even hostility.

These reactions reveal a profound truth: even in the presence of undeniable evidence, people can reject God. It highlights that faith is not solely a matter of evidence but also depends on the heart’s attitude and willingness to open up to God’s truth. Often, it is pride, preconceived notions, or clinging to traditions and power structures that prevent people from recognizing God’s work.

This phenomenon explains why some saw Jesus’ signs yet did not believe in Him—the Pharisees, despite witnessing Jesus’ miracles, clung to their rejection. It shows us that faith is more than a rational decision; it requires humility, openness, and the willingness to question our own beliefs to accept God’s truth.

For us, this means we should continually ask ourselves whether we are open to seeing God’s work in our lives or if we remain spiritually blind due to pride or fear, preventing us from embracing His truth.

2.These accounts all point to Christ as the divine Son of God. Why is His divinity crucial for believing in Jesus as the Redeemer?

The divinity of Jesus is central to our belief in Him as the Redeemer, and the accounts of His miracles—such as the Feeding of the Five Thousand, the Healing of the Blind Man, and the Raising of Lazarus—emphasize His divine nature. This divinity is crucial for the Christian faith in Jesus as the Redeemer for several reasons:

1. Only God Can Forgive Sins: The Bible teaches that only God has the authority to forgive sins (Mark 2:7). As the divine Son of God, Jesus possesses the authority to release us from our sins. If Jesus were merely human, He would lack the power to redeem us from sin. His divinity grants Him the ability to be the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all humanity.

2. His Sacrifice Has Infinite Value: Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross would be incomplete without His divinity. As the divine Son of God, His death holds infinite value, making it sufficient to bear the punishment for the sins of the entire world. A purely human sacrifice could never fully atone for humanity’s sin. Because Jesus is God, His sacrifice offers complete and eternal redemption.

3. Overcoming Death and the Devil: Through His resurrection, Jesus conquered death, demonstrating His authority over life and death (John 11:25). This power can only belong to a divine being. If Jesus were not divine, He would lack the ability to defeat death and grant eternal life to believers. As the divine Redeemer, He offers not only forgiveness of sins but also the hope of life after death.

4. God’s Nearness to Humanity: Jesus’ divinity means that God became man to redeem us (John 1:14). This shows us that God loves us so much that He humbled Himself to experience our pain, suffering, and death. His divinity assures us that the Redeemer is not distant but intimately understands our human nature and is close to us in every aspect of life.

5. Fulfillment of Messianic Prophecies: Jesus’ divinity fulfills Old Testament prophecies that reveal the Messiah as God. If Jesus were not divine, He could not fulfill the many prophecies that describe Him as “Immanuel”—“God with us” (Isaiah 7:14). His divinity is the fulfillment of the promise that God Himself would come to save His people.

Conclusion:

The divinity of Jesus is fundamental to our belief in Him as the Redeemer. Without His divine nature, Jesus could not forgive sins, overcome death, provide the perfect sacrifice for humanity’s sins, or fulfill the prophetic promises of the Messiah. Only because Jesus is truly God can we trust in His redemption and have hope for eternal life.

3.Read 1 Corinthians 1:26–29. In what ways do we see the same principle at work in the 21st century? What constitutes the “foolishness” that Christians believe, and what the “wise men of the world” ridicule and reject? What do we believe that also makes the “wise” ashamed?

In 1 Corinthians 1:26–29, Paul describes how God often chooses the “foolish” and “weak” in the world to shame the “strong” and “wise.” This was true in biblical times and remains evident in the 21st century. In a world that often values power, knowledge, and worldly success, the Christian faith and belief in Jesus Christ are frequently viewed as foolish.

Principle in the 21st Century:

Today, numerous areas demonstrate how the world mocks or rejects the Christian faith. Some of these include:

1. Belief in the Resurrection and Eternal Life: Many people in the modern, scientifically oriented world view the belief in Jesus’ resurrection and eternal life as naive or irrational. The idea that death is not the end and that Jesus actually rose from the dead is often dismissed as “foolish.” However, this is the central belief of Christians—it provides hope that transcends the purely material and visible, making the “wise” ashamed because it reveals God’s power over death, something human wisdom cannot explain.

2. Forgiveness and Love for Enemies: In a world that often emphasizes revenge, retribution, and self-assertion, the Christian teaching of forgiveness and love for enemies can appear weak or even foolish. It is often seen as unwise to forgive those who have wronged us or to love our enemies instead of fighting against them. Yet, these values are central to the Christian faith as they reflect God’s love and grace. For Christians, forgiveness is a divine power stronger than hate and conflict.

3. Humility and Weakness: The modern world frequently values strength, self-assertion, and success. However, the Gospel teaches that God chooses the humble and the weak to reveal His power. The principle that “the last will be first” and that “God exalts the humble but thwarts the proud” (Matthew 19:30; Luke 14:11) is often mocked in many societal circles. Yet, God repeatedly shows that true greatness lies in humility and that He reveals His strength through the weak.

4. Faith Over Reason: For many “wise men of the world,” faith in God and reliance on faith beyond human reason is seen as foolish. The belief that there is a supernatural power guiding our lives stands in contrast to secular thinking based solely on logic, reason, and science. However, Christians believe that faith in God, the Creator and Redeemer, is a deeper truth that surpasses human understanding.

What Makes the “Wise” Ashamed?

God reveals His power and wisdom through what the world considers weak or foolish. The resurrection, humility, forgiveness, and faith in the unseen all demonstrate that human wisdom is limited. God’s ways surpass our understanding, and the Gospel shows that true wisdom lies in trusting God and accepting His grace, regardless of where it comes from.

Conclusion:

The principle Paul describes remains applicable today. What the world deems foolish—the belief in the resurrection, forgiveness, humility, and God’s power—is used by God to reveal His truth. This serves as a reminder that God’s wisdom exceeds human wisdom and that we can trust in His ways, even when they are not understood or appreciated by the world.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-2-signs-of-divinity-2-7-questions-themes-in-the-gospel-of-john-living-faith/

October 12, 2024

DAILY BIBLE READING – John Chapter 6

¹ After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.

² And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.

³ And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.

⁴ And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.

⁵ When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?

⁶ And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.

⁷ Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.

⁸ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him,

⁹ There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

¹⁰ And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.

¹¹ And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.

¹² When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.

¹³ Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

¹⁴ Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.

¹⁵ When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

¹⁶ And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,

¹⁷ And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.

¹⁸ And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.

¹⁹ So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.

²⁰ But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.

²¹ Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.

²² The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone;

²³ (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)

²⁴ When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.

²⁵ And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?

²⁶ Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.

²⁷ Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

²⁸ Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

²⁹ Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

³⁰ They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?

³¹ Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.

³² Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.

³³ For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

³⁴ Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.

³⁵ And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

³⁶ But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.

³⁷ All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

³⁸ For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

³⁹ And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

⁴⁰ And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

⁴¹ The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.

⁴² And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?

⁴³ Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.

⁴⁴ No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

⁴⁵ It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

⁴⁶ Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.

⁴⁷ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

⁴⁸ I am that bread of life.

⁴⁹ Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.

⁵⁰ This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.

⁵¹ I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

⁵² The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?

⁵³ Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

⁵⁴ 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.

⁵⁶ He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

⁵⁷ As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.

⁵⁸ This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

⁵⁹ These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.

⁶⁰ Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?

⁶¹ When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?

⁶² What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?

⁶³ It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

⁶⁴ But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.

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.

⁶⁷ Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

⁶⁸ Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

⁶⁹ And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

⁷⁰ Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

⁷¹ He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

King James Version. Public Domain

 

Commentary

Introduction

John chapter 6 addresses some of the most well-known and central events in the life of Jesus, including the Feeding of the Five Thousand and Jesus’ teaching about the “Bread of Life.” These two events highlight Jesus’ ability to nourish both physically and spiritually. While Jesus’ miracles impress the crowd and lead them to follow Him, His profound spiritual teachings cause confusion and division among the disciples. Finally, the chapter emphasizes that Jesus is the source of eternal life, but only those who trust in Him by faith will experience it.

Commentary

The Feeding of the Five Thousand (John 6:1-15)

The Feeding of the Five Thousand is one of Jesus’ most significant miracles, recorded in all four Gospels. Jesus sees the large crowd following Him because they have witnessed the miracles performed on the sick. To test His disciples, He asks Philip where they could buy enough bread to feed the multitude. Philip realistically responds that two hundred denarii (a large sum of money) would not be sufficient to feed everyone (verse 7). Andrew notices a boy with five barley loaves and two fish, which are clearly inadequate for the crowd.

However, Jesus takes this small offering and multiplies it so that everyone is satisfied, and even twelve baskets of leftovers remain. This miracle demonstrates Jesus’ divine care and power. The people recognize Him as the promised prophet (verse 14), but when they attempt to make Him king, Jesus withdraws. This suggests that His kingdom is not of this world and that He did not come to fulfill political expectations but to bring spiritual salvation.

Jesus Walks on the Sea (John 6:16-21)

In the evening, the disciples cross the Sea of Galilee without Jesus, who has withdrawn. A strong wind arises, and the disciples struggle against the waves until they see Jesus walking on the water. They are frightened, but Jesus reassures them by saying, “It is I; do not be afraid!” (verse 20). This event not only demonstrates Jesus’ power over nature but also His role as the one who brings peace to believers amidst difficulties.

Jesus, the Bread of Life (John 6:22-59)

The next day, the people seek Jesus and find Him on the other side of the lake. Jesus takes the opportunity to teach about the “Bread of Life.” He tells them that they did not come to Him just because of the signs, but because they ate the bread and were satisfied (verse 26). Jesus emphasizes that they should seek the spiritual food that leads to eternal life. He reveals that He Himself is the bread that has come down from heaven and that those who believe in Him will never hunger or thirst again (verse 35).

This teaching confuses many, especially when Jesus explains that His flesh is the bread they must eat to have eternal life (verse 51). This metaphorical language leads to misunderstanding and rejection, particularly as the Jews question how He can give them His flesh to eat (verse 52). Jesus’ statement that they must eat His flesh and drink His blood is an allusion to the future Eucharist (the Lord’s Supper) and refers to His sacrificial giving of life on the cross.

The Division Among the Disciples and Peter’s Confession (John 6:60-71)

Jesus’ radical statements cause many of His disciples to abandon Him, as they find His words “hard” (verse 60). However, when Jesus asks the Twelve if they also want to leave, Peter responds with his famous confession: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (verse 68). This confession underscores that true disciples do not depend on external circumstances or difficulties in understanding but hold firmly to faith in Jesus as the Son of God.

At the end, Jesus alludes to the impending betrayal by Judas, one of the Twelve, who will later hand Him over (verses 70-71).

Summary

John chapter 6 encompasses central miracles and teachings of Jesus that highlight His divine power and role as the source of eternal life. The Feeding of the Five Thousand demonstrates Jesus’ mastery over creation and His ability to meet people’s needs. However, in His teaching about the “Bread of Life,” Jesus goes beyond the physical to speak of Himself as the spiritual nourishment that brings eternal life. This radical message leads to a division among His disciples, but Peter reaffirms his faith by declaring that Jesus has the words of eternal life.

 

 

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/12-10-2024-john-chapter-6-believe-his-prophets/