The fourth Sign... part 4...

Jesus spoke over the little amount that was given to Him, and He began to distribute food to those present.  The text actually cites that Jesus was distributing it, which would make this the first Sign that He does something more than speak.  (In the other three Gospels, the text points out that the portions were given from Christ to the 12, and the 12 served the people directly.)  It really rings true in a favorite song of mine, as the chorus states, "Little is much when God's in it, and no one can fathom the plans He holds."*  However, a powerful object lesson still remained for the 12 present...

"When they were full, He told His disciples, 'Collect the leftovers so that nothing is wasted.'  So they collected them and filled 12 baskets with the pieces from the five barley loaves that were left over by those who had eaten."

John 6:12-13, HCSB

An old friend of mine, when eating a sandwich from a famous chain that we all know, would always remove the ends.  He swore up and down that he couldn't stand the ends of that large food item... we'll call it a "sub," for argument sake.  Further, my three children refuse to ingest crust from any type of bread.  It is always left behind, regardless of the type of sandwich.  As for me, I'm not a fan of pizza crust, and that bread is almost always left behind.  Why bring this up?  Well, frankly, I know that my family of five is not the only one that experiences this, and there are tons of people who have the exact same habits and tendencies... just as they also have the habit of getting that last piece, thinking they can finish it, and then are unable to do so.  In case you're wondering, this creates leftovers.

Now, imagine you are standing in a field capable of holding 5,000 men and their families, all seated and resting as they are served by One Man and His disciples, all from a single basket which originally contained 5 loaves and two fish for a child's lunch.  All of a sudden, this Man says a prayer and thanks the Father for the food provided, and then feeds everyone present "as much as they wanted (end of vs. 11)."  Everyone eats their fill, is completely satisfied from their hunger... but they are not told that they have to eat every piece.  Their individual eating habits were not questioned or mentioned, and clearly there were folks in this crowd like my kids and my friend and myself, because leftovers were present.  The 12 are then told to go pick up the scraps so that nothing is wasted, and how much did they pick up?  I'll get to that in a minute.

First, please notice that this massive crowd was served by Christ, and they were satisfied.  They got all they needed, and all they wanted (which are not the same thing) from the Messiah.  There is a powerful and interesting parallel there for life, as we get the same things today from Him.  Sometimes we have to open the eyes of our hearts to see the blessings and provisions, but they are there.

Second, this powerful moment was a lesson to the 12 as they were "sent" into the crowd to share the blessing, just as they would soon be "sent" into the world to share the Gospel.  Wow!!!

Now, back to the clean-up, there were twelve baskets FULL of leftovers that the 12 picked up.  Hey... wait a second... 12 men, and twelve baskets of leftovers... do you think maybe that Jesus was trying to prove a point?  Perhaps He wanted it to be them that did the initial serving?  Maybe He wanted them to do the cleaning, because He did all the serving?  Nope.  He wanted them to see clearly, and don't miss this, that God's provisions are more than adequate, more than we think possible, and the vast and overflowing abundance which is offered cannot all be taken in by us.  For their doubt of the capability of Christ to use even the smallest amount of food to feed a massive crowd, they each picked up a basket of scraps... a full basket of scraps.  

Imagine having to be there, cleaning up with the other 11, and then looking over to Philip.  The look on his face as he picked up each piece must have grown both more confused and more saddened, as it was he who first pointed out that they didn't have enough worldly provisions to provide for these people.  He was the one who was asked directly, and he was asked specifically as a test of his faith in the Father and the Son.  Philip's response of not having enough money is a typical one, and not something far from what I probably would have said.  But now, picture answering that question, then seeing the small child's lunch, then watching your Teacher feed this gargantuan assembly from that single basket, then having to pick up a full basket of scrap afterwards... and you are carrying only one of twelve baskets FULL of leftover food! 

Also, there is no mention of any of the 12 having their own baskets to serve the food, and no mention of any other baskets already being there, waiting for the clean-up process to begin.  This brings me to think that perhaps each of the 12 had to take the one basket that fed the people, and each make a pass to clean up.  In that scenario, I can see Philip waiting until the last of the group, hopeful the clean-up would end before his turn came.  I can also see Andrew (pointed out the fish and loaves, but then got all worldly and said that it wasn't enough) going first, because he would've felt bad for so directly doubting that Christ could use that little amount to bless the crowd.  Of course, this is purely speculative, but it does seem plausible...

The major point here, Christian sibling, is that Jesus Christ is capable of more than we can possibly imagine, and sometimes we get the opportunity to be a part of that.  This is one instance where the 12 not only got an in-your-face lesson about the abundance of the provision of God, but they also got to see, first hand, Jesus blessing people en masse.  This was not a singular healing or a disease being cured on one guy out of many... this was 5,000 men and their families, all fed from a child's lunch, served directly by the Messiah. 

That.  Is.  Awesome.

God bless you all!!!

*Lyric from "Little Is Much," by downhere©, from the album "Wide-Eyed and Mystified"

The fourth Sign... part 3...

So Philip sees only that a monetary amount of almost a full year's wages would be needed to feed this group, and we don't have that much.  Another Gospel points out that Christ tells the 12 to give them something to eat, and they were probably a tad confused by the statement.  But then Andrew catches a small glimpse of the way to approach this situation.

"One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to Him, 'There's a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish - but what are they for so many?'"

John 6:8-9, HCSB

Despite the fact that Andrew doubts the amount of provision, he still sees provision.  And for an instant, I think he almost understood... but then the worldly understanding that takes over so many things in all our lives came a'knockin', and all of a sudden it went from there being a provision to the provision not being enough.  We all do that, don't we?  We see that (please understand I do not mean this blasphemously, but as an example) God is attempting to provide for us, but we don't think it is enough to cover {insert financial/emotional/physical concern here}, and we "need" more.  It's an interesting concept, really.

The truth of it all is that Andrew did catch a small glimpse into the provisional power of God through Christ, and he pointed out what Jesus already knew... the boy with the loaves and fish.  One thing I would like to note here is that the lunch being carried was not that of a king, nor was it that of even a grown adult.  This lunch was being carried by and for a child, and in this moment, we see that God is not interested in only using the super-duper mega-minister who has 5,000 hours of schooling and has led "X" number of people to salvation.  No.  He wants, and wills, to use each and every person in the proper time... in His proper time... regardless of age, size, ability, intelligence, malady, etc.  At any point that selection could be upon you to go forward and share your lunch with the Messiah.  Yes, you.

I'm going to go a little farther, though, in that this moment of seeing the child and his small lunch had to be something powerful for the 12.  And I will pose a question for you to ponder: given that all things are orchestrated as backdrop for the glorification of Christ, and that these scenes were known to Him going in, is this moment meant to teach the 12 specifically, more than it is meant to serve as a massive Sign to the crowd present?  They, in fact, would need to carry forward the message, you know, so teachable moments like this one would have been in high demand at all times.  Plus, the people on the outskirts of the crowd wouldn't have been able to see that the boy had only 5 loaves and two fish.  They would only have been receiving food, and not known where it came from.

Most important about this Sign, though, is that Jesus had the people sit, and then He did what He has done with all those before: He spoke.  He gave thanks to the Father for the provision, regardless of the size of the provision, and began to distribute the food to the crowd, "as much as they wanted (end of vs. 11)."  Jesus spoke thanks over what was given, and then started handing out not as much as He knew they needed, but rather as much as they wanted.  The basket became literally bottomless, and had seemingly no end to what was inside.  The same is true of the grace that flows out from Him onto us all!

Give thanks for your provisions today.  The earth and the worldly folks in it may not think that your provision is great enough... you may not think it is great enough... but God knows what you need, and if you are thankful for what He gives, then His blessing will be upon it.

God bless you all!!!

Easter Sunday!!!

HALLELUJAH!  He is risen!

The LORD is risen, indeed!  HALLELUJAH!

Today marks the single greatest day in the history of mankind, as this is the day we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ from the dead.  He was beaten, nailed to a cross, raised above those who would scorn and mock Him... placed in a tomb that had never been used... a large stone covered the entrance, and guards were placed outside... but today, He is risen!

The joy that today respresents can hardly be captured in words.  Just know that He is ALIVE, and He lives in you and me and all other Christians.  His power to redeem knows NO limit, and He loves as marvelously and miraculously as He lives! 

HALLELUJAH!  He is risen!

The LORD is risen, indeed!  HALLELUJAH!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPzKqsfaeM4

Good Friday...

I'm going to take a moment of rest from the Signs today, and mention the most obvious Sign that ever has existed to all mankind that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the King of kings, the Lord of all... and that begins today, roughly 2,000 years ago... but Sunday's coming!

Picture it: darkness falls at an odd time, because the only truly innocent Man on earth is receiving the worst possible punishment at the time, and the people that believe Him and believe in Him are following behind as Christ is ascending to Golgotha.  He is forced to carry His own cross, and already beaten and whipped and scarred beyond recognition.  He has been insulted and mocked, jeered at and scorned by the religious elite... the ones who "know the law of Moses," and are doing the "right thing."  Most important, though, He has not complained once... because Sunday's coming!

Atop the hill, with nails being driven into His hands and feet, agony and pain like nothing imaginable is flowing all through the body of our Savior.  The weight of sin... ALL OF IT... for all time, from all people, in all categories, all at once... that is the weight of the punishment upon the only innocent Man ever to walk the earth.  That weight, by the way, includes the weight of all that I have done and will still do, as it contains the weight of all that you have done and will still do.  And He serves as an inspiration, carrying it without a sound... because Sunday's coming!

There is a video clip below, one that I cannot take credit for, but I borrowed it from YouTube©, because it is powerful to see.  Please watch, and as you take the time today to recognize just how much Jesus Christ loved you (personally, specifically you), please recognize that He bore this burden so that you could be free from its awful weight.  That is how highly you are valued, Christian sibling... He would rather go through hell for you than go to Heaven without you!

God bless you all!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YByT6wfdhJs

The fourth Sign... part 2...

We looked at the compassion Jesus showed to the crowd, and now we need to look at a different quality of His exceptional leadership skills.  This one relates to the 12 that followed Him everywhere, and it is something that every great and inspirational coach has.  He seeks the input of those He teaches.

"Therefore, when Jesus looked up and noticed a huge crowd coming toward Him, He asked Philip, 'Where will we buy bread so these people can eat?'"

John 6:5, HCSB

The passage goes on to discuss that Jesus knew what would happen already, and that this was a test.  It is not a test in the manner of asking something like the sum of 1 and 1, but rather a test to see if the 12 with Him (Philip being singled out for this purpose) were able to believe that God would provide.  Wait... that's not exactly right, is it?  Of course they were able to believe that God would provide.  But would they truly BELIEVE that He would?  Like I said earlier, there is a difference between believing IN Him and BELIEVING Him.

Another thing to notice here is that Jesus knew the answer, but still asked the question.  And you think, "Gee, you said that in the previous paragraph."  And I respond, "Yes I did, but it's worth repeating."  The point here is that Jesus could have literally thought it, and a banquet would've appeared with tables and chairs and servants and even the not-yet-invented and currently world-famous fast food menu items that we all eat today.  It could have been instant, and complete, and no work would've been required.  I would ask you to ponder a point, though, that ties to that: "what if the road to the goal were the easiest road, and I never learned what I know?"* 

And this test, as we know from the passage, was not passed by Philip.  He remarked, in fact, that there isn't enough money to buy them food (6:7), leaning only on the worldly understanding that he has.  One side of this, though, is that everything here is backdrop for the glorification of the Father, so the statement that there isn't enough money to buy food for the crowd is an important one.  People who heard Philip say that, and others who heard about later (including you and I) have all been baffled at the sheer amount of money that would be necessary to feed the group, from an earthly perspective.  It makes it all much more powerful!

Next we'll get to the best part of this Sign, but for today I would ask that you ponder on how you think of things.  Approach things like a Christian, knowing that God is more than able to handle any and all situations, and recognize that you (and I) don't always need to understand what will happen... we just know that whatever happens is for our refining and testing, all to the glory of God the Father.

God bless you all!!!

*Lyric from "For the Heartbreak," by downhere©, from the album "On The Altar of Love"

The fourth Sign... part 1...

This Sign is probably one of the most well-known, due to its clarity of understanding for all people.  You see, some folks might not ever need wine for any occasion, and some folks may never have a miraculous story of healing, but everyone gets hungry.  Everyone needs to eat.

Sign #4 - Feeding the 5,000

Of course, this story is known to all Christians, because it is one of the ones taught to Sunday School children that emphasizes the presence of a young boy.  Children tend to perk up when other children are of importance, you know, and this particular story tells the happenings of a single boy with a modest lunch, and how he was instrumental in feeding 5,000 men (with unnumbered women and children).  It's amazing!

"And a huge crowd was following Him because they saw the signs that He was performing on the sick."

John 6:2, HCSB

The passage is titled "Feeding the 5,000," and many have agreed that the 5,000 listed are the men that were counted.  As I mentioned above, these men had their families with them, so the actual number of people present is much larger, and we need to keep that in mind.  (However, even if it were exactly 5,000 and not a person more, this is just amazing!)  Christ has just crossed the Sea of Galilee with His disciples, and the masses are following closely.

We are nearing the festival of the Passover, which, of course, dates back to the Exodus from Egypt.  Every Jewish follower during this time headed toward Jerusalem to visit the temple there for this festival... it was a big deal.  However, this crowd has seen many Signs and wonders performed, and they have adopted the position of being unwilling to miss out on anything else that might happen.  Add to that the possibility that each of them is waiting their turn to be healed or seek healing for someone they know and care for, and you have the makings of a true grassroots mob of followers.

In the Gospel of Mark, it points out that Jesus looked upon the crowd, "and had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd (Mark 6:34, HCSB)."  The first thing I would like to point out about this Sign is precisely that... He had compassion on them.

Please notice something here, friend, in that it does not distinguish which of the group He had compassion for.  It points out plainly that He had compassion upon THEM, referring to every single man, woman, and child within the gathered crowd.  There was no wrong too great, and no pain too massive... no understanding was too little, and no need was too vast.  He had compassion on them all. 

This brings up some thoughts to pose before us all.  First, Jesus is the One we are to model, and we are charged to love as He loved (later in John 13:34-35).  Second, if we are to model that love, then we must also model His compassion, as well as His modesty and His faithfulness, etc.  Third, if we model all those traits, and we see someone in the grocery store or on the news or at the mall that we would judge by our "Church Standards" as being lost or uninformed or not worthy or whatever other designation you would want to give it (and we all do it, including myself, so let's be accountable and honest here for a moment), then we should consciously and overtly remind ourselves that we are to have compassion upon that person or those people, because they, too, might be sheep without a shepherd... and we can show them the true Shepherd to follow.

Had these people been sent away by the 12, we would not have seen this Sign.  However, that will be our next focal point.  For now, think on the level of compassion you portray to those around you.  Realize that some in this crowd were following from belief and worship, but some were following hoping to see another healing, as though Christ was a simple street magician.  Yet He had compassion on all of them, regardless, and showed them all the exact same level of grace... do we do the same?

God bless you all!!!

Between 3 and 4...

Three of the seven Signs are complete, and after the healing of the man at Bethesda, the restored man was given a powerful blessing from Christ.  The man was told (paraphrased) that he should go forth in life, and don't sin any more.  Jesus Christ told this man, face to face, (again paraphrasing) "I have healed you from your illness, as well as from your sin... go from this place, both physical location and linear point in your life, and look to the future with expectancy as you lead a life free of wrong-doing, a life dedicated to the Father who sent Me to heal you... for returning to this place, both physical location and linear point in your life (by dwelling on the memories) can bring the risk of contagion by other ill people, as well as temptation to sin as they do... don't do that."  (Clearly, the quotation marks are only intended to separate the sentence from the rest, and it is in no way a direct quote of the Messiah's words.)

Christ then goes into one of the greatest discourses the Gospel of John has shown thus far, discussing the honoring of the Father.  He points out clearly that the Father never stops working, and that as long as the Father is working, the Son will be working.  There is no division.  And while the Jews were seeking to persecute Jesus for healing on the Sabbath, they also attempted to call Him a blasphemer for stating that God is His Father.  In this passage, we see plainly that all of God does all that God does.  Again, there is no division.  The Father gives works to be done, and the Son carries them out.  Nothing the Son does is separate from the Father, and all that the Father asks is done by the Son. 

Note, also, that the Father has "given all judgment to the Son (vs. 22)," which means that when we are called to the judgment seat, and face our own deeds and see what we truly are, it is Jesus Christ who will be looking at us.  It will be Jesus Christ who walks us through ourselves, and shows us all that we have been and all that we have done.  Further, while it is Jesus performing judgment, He does state that He carries forward the will of the Father, proving again that they are not divided, and that all of God does all that God does.

Jesus goes on to discuss that John is a prophet... but even John admits openly that Jesus is greater, for Jesus is from God.  Further, Jesus has been sent to accomplish the works laid before Him by the Father, and He will not stop until those works are complete.  Now, for fun, I want to ask a couple of rhetorical questions.  Jesus is fully man and fully God, right?  And therefore, He has all the power that God has, right?  And if God says something is "done," then is there any chance that even the smallest portion of that something is left incomplete?  And if Jesus IS going to complete His works, given by the Father, with all the power and authority of the Father, then how complete are those works?  How complete is the Atonement?  How complete is the salvation He offers?  Is there any chance that even the smallest portion of anything Jesus ever said or did could be even the smallest bit incomplete? 

We will soon begin the well-known fourth Sign, but take time today to ponder on how truly awesome Jesus is, and how complete all of His works ARE.  He completed all that was set before Him, and we must take the initiative to not only believe in Him, but also to simply BELIEVE HIM, and know that what He has said is true.  He is the Messiah... and no one in the history of creation, throughout the entire universe, can ever make a similar claim.

God bless you all!!!

The third Sign... part 4...

Okay, so the oddity of the answer that the sick man gave has been perplexing me for a while, but I would like to cover the best part of this third Sign right now.  It wasn't that the Sign occurred (which was excellent, by the way), and it wasn't that a specific man was chosen (which he was, by the way)... the best of this Sign is what was spoken to the man.

"'Get up,' Jesus told him, 'pick up your bedroll and walk!'  Instantly the man got well, picked up his bedroll, and started to walk."

John 5:8-9a, HCSB

I may have made mention of this before, but I would like to be very clear on a specific point of notice with this Sign, as with all previous and the ones to follow, in that it is vital to note that John makes emphatic point that the Signs happen when Jesus speaks.  He is the Word, you know, and therefore He has spoken and ruled on every subject and topic, every issue and concern, every anything that is listed in the Bible.  He is also the very same Word that was spoken into existence when the world was created.  So when Jesus hears the odd reply from the man, including extraneous information as to why he has not yet become well (as opposed to just answering that he wishes to become well), the directions given are all the more amazing!

He just looked at the man, broken and ill, destitute and abandoned at this pool for the sickly and dying, and told the man to get up.  I don't know about you, but I picture those words sounding different, as Jesus speaks with all the authority of Heaven.  I hear them as having a slight echo, perhaps deeper in tone than normal, and captivating to all around within earshot.  The words spoken by and through the Word have to be so unbelievably unavoidable, and there could literally be no way to ignore them.

It is the direction given, though, just as it was with the water turning to wine (fill the jars, draw some out) and the son of the official (go, your son will live) who needed healing.  Jesus tells this man to get up, which is unthinkable to the masses gathered around the area.  However, no matter how odd it sounded, the man got up and walked away.  He just got up, and walked away.  Jesus told him what to do, and he did exactly what he was told.  (If I'm going too deep into that single point, then I'm excited you noticed... because Jesus tells us what we should do through the Bible, but do we do it?)  That man's 38 years of illness and pain and suffering were washed away in an instant, with a seemingly ridiculous set of instructions.  Yet, you MUST notice that it is a set of instructions that this man was faithful to follow!

And there's the rub, friends... Jesus gave that man instruction, and the man followed it, and a blessing beyond belief was bestowed!  So what if Jesus told you what to do?  Don't say that it would be different, because that man was face to face with Him, because it was not yet time for Jesus to be transfigured or seen or known as Messiah, so while the man may have known that Jesus was "considered" to be a prophet and a holy man, the ill man wouldn't have looked at Christ any differently than anyone else.  Further, don't expect that Jesus will manifest in front of you to tell you what you should do or ask you coaching questions to lead you to your own best answer.  As a Christian, Christ is IN YOU, and He speaks through the Spirit to you, and you know when you should or shouldn't do {fill in the blank}, because of the feeling within you.  Yet, despite that obvious clue to all of us, we sometimes go the opposite direction, don't we?

What if that man had probed with further questions about why he would assume that he could just get up and walk?  What if there had been doubt?  I think this man was chosen for the simple fact that he would obey the command given.  Also, consider the feeling of a sleeping limb, and how great it is to feel the blood rushing back into it.  Whether an arm or leg or hand, that sensation is a great one, because you are in control again.  This man, ill and unable to walk, "instantly" knew that something was different, and he made full use of the restoration blessed upon him.  He was given direction from the Word, and he followed it.

I could go into the fact that this happened on the Sabbath, but we'll save that to tie into another Sign a little later... another Sabbath healing of another unnamed man.  But for now, ponder on this third Sign of Christ.  When Jesus asks you a question, will you answer?  And when Jesus gives you instruction, will you follow it? 

God bless you all!!!

The third Sign... part 3...

Okay, so we're waiting for a long time in front of a pool where all the sick are gathered, and we're near the one gate in Jerusalem that symbolically speaks of the Lamb of God, and then He enters.  That seems like more than just coincidence to me, as it should to all who read the Bible with fervor, but we've already covered that point.  We have seen the man, sick for nearly four decades, and we are aware of the "race" to get to the water anytime it is "stirred" in a visible, and presumedly angelic, fashion.  Then this happens...

"When Jesus saw him lying there and knew he had already been there a long time, He said to him, 'Do you want to get well?'"

John 5:6, HCSB

Doesn't that sound like a silly question?  Why would anyone ask a sick person if they want to be well?  Don't all sick people want to be well?  If the means were available to free someone from sickness of any specific kind, wouldn't that ill person make full use?  When you think on it, it is interesting... but then, the larger analogy is one that must be considered, as well.  Didn't all of those people near the pool "want" to be well?

Jesus singles out one man, a man who has been waiting for 38 years and cannot move easily.  He asks the question openly, and receives in reply an explanation of why the man is not well.  All of that is based on the fact that when the water stirs, the man can't make it down to the pool before anyone else.  I don't know about you, but I didn't see Jesus ask why the man wasn't successful in attaining wellness thus far.  I didn't see Jesus request a list of offenders that have raced past this man and beaten him to the pool when the water stirs.  The point here, friend, is that when Christ asks a question with so obvious an answer, the simplicity of it all eludes us.

We'll get to the response the man was given, and the immense significance that has, but not today.  Today, although short, the main focus on this is that the man was asked a direct question... one that he did not answer.  The question of whether or not the man wants healing is so simple, and that is why it escaped him.  A child would have looked up and said,  "YES I DO!" with no issue.  However, as we grow older and "wiser" (please know that I refer only to the wisdom of the world, which serves only to confuse, and not to enlighten), we tend to cloud very simple issues, and then the common answer to simple questions becomes, "Well, it's complicated... you see, the reasons behind this are {fill in random reasons/excuses}, and the way I've approached it is {fill in fleshly approach}, and the results have so far been {fill in less-than-what-you-hoped-for ending}."  All He asked was whether you want to be well... are you going to answer?

God bless you all!!!

The third Sign... part 2...

Now that we have the backdrop of the scene, I have a question to pose to you for thought.  What if the entire idea of this "healing pool" was allowed by the Father for whatever time it was allowed for the sole purpose of Jesus being able to perform this next sign?  (Of course, since we know that God knows all and sees all at once, we know that this is true, but it is an interesting point to ponder.)  We also know that the people near it are ill, regardless of malady, and that when the water stirs visibly before them, they race to get in... first one in wins (healing, that is).  But there is a guy near there...

"One man was there who had been sick for 38 years."

John 5:5, HCSB

... and this guy, another unnamed man in the Gospel, has been waiting and waiting and waiting.  Can you imagine sitting beside a place of healing, watching for a sign, praying for healing, for 38 years?  Being that I am slightly less young than the amount of time this man waited, I have no frame of reference, but I cannot fathom the patience that would be needed.

Further, it says he has been waiting that long, but I doubt he was born at the pool and never left it.  We can therefore infer that he is older than 38, and is aware fo the passage of all the time he has waited.  Again, I cannot conceive of this time frame at all... but I have trouble being patient for like 2 hours, let alone any number of days, to say nothing of anything longer than that. 

Most importantly, though, is that this man is unnamed, as I mentioned before.  That matters, because it wasn't the king or the queen or the chief priest that received the grace and mercy of Christ in this moment.  It was just a man... just a man in need of healing... just a man in need of healing that waited patiently and faithfully in the area he was supposed to wait in.  This guy isn't a celebrity who gets an ushered space to the front row of the temple.  He's not someone with bodyguards and personal security who is present to be a guest speaker.  No, friend, he's nothing like that.  Instead, he is the representation of something much more powerful... he is YOU, and he is ME, and he is ANYONE that Christ has ever touched!

Our culture, more than any other on the planet, has a severe issue with placement based upon material status and/or title.  Those folks that have the money or the power or the access or the friends in high places are the ones that everyone "wishes they could be."  But today, I would like to ask that we shift our focus for a moment, and just ask to be the nameless sick fellow that received far more than all the wealth or power or prestige the world has to offer.  He received salvation.  He received peace.  He received healing.  He received CHRIST!  Give thanks today that Christ has touched you in this same way, with healing and salvation and love.  Show appreciation today and everyday that He accepted you, even in your transgressions or infirmities, and made you new. 

Next we'll move into exactly what was done, to show the immense power of this Sign in particular.  However, just for now, simply remain thankful that Christ once touched you, and is now a central focus of your life.

God bless you all!!!

The third Sign... part 1...

There really isn't anything listed between 2 and 3, so I'm just going to jump right in.  It is worth pointing out that during the time between Signs 2 and 3, though, a trip was made from Cana to Jerusalem for a Jewish festival.  Festivals brought huge crowds, and the religious elite were definitely present en masse, certain to be seen participating and acting according to the traditions and customs to which they held so dearly.  I often wonder, if only they had their hearts in the right place, what would have been different... but it is of no matter, because that is not the way it was, and Jesus knew it.

Sign #3 - Healing the Sick Man

"By the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem, there is a pool, called Bethesda in Hebrew, which has five colonnades.  Within these lay a multitude of the sick - blind, lame, and paralyzed - waiting for the moving of the water, because an angel would go down into the pool from time to time and stir up the water.  Then the first one who got in after the water was stirred up recovered from whatever ailment he had."

John 5:2-4, HCSB

For starters, we need to look to Nehemiah (3:1) to see that the Sheep Gate was, literally, the gate where people brought in their sheep for shearing or sale or slaughter.  It was also the first gate to be listed in the rebuilding process.  Wait a second... a sheep is also referred to as a lamb, right?  And the Messiah, the Lamb of God, went to the Sheep Gate where this Sign would be performed, right?  Clearly, I exaggerate to make a point, and that is that while we read any text... ANY text from God's Holy Word, we must know that it does all tie backwards, forwards and side-to-side, all together into itself perfectly.  The symbolism here shouldn't be lost on anyone, frankly, because the Lamb went to the gate that (if you look into the gates as they're named and follow their progression around) shows the beginning and the end of a Christian's life: with the Lamb of God.

Christ goes specifically to this one gate, and no other, and sees a vast number of people who are all in need of healing and restoration.  All of them are looking to a pool of water (again the symbolism of water is brought forward for healing), hopeful that an angel come to stir it up.  This stirring then makes the water super special, and it now is a onetime fix for a single person, whoever races in the fastest and the rest of the folks there are just out of luck.

Umm... I'm gonna go out on a limb here... and just say no.  I see nothing in Scripture to back up this idea that the waters would be stirred and make one person well, which leads me to think that it was something invented by people.  Further, since the healing is only available for a single person, and it has to be the first person into the water, there is limited healing based upon performance... and that is NOT from God.  So, again, I'm just gonna stick with no.

On another hand, though, it is interesting that the water would be chosen as a form of healing.  Water is a constant throughout these Signs so far, and so at least we can take some solace in the fact that we humans tend to almost get it right... but it is Jesus who heals, and Jesus who saves, and as we'll soon see, there is no need at all for anything but Him.  No water is necessary, no race is necessary, and no day is too special for Him to ignore someone in need.  

God bless you all!!! 

The second Sign... part 3...

Now we're in Cana, and we see a member of the established leadership kneeling before Christ (symbolically, if not literally) to ask for His grace and mercy and blessing.  We see a father who has traveled a long journey from his sick child to do this... and his child is, undoubtedly, growing more ill during the journey.  And then the Sign comes...

"'Go,' Jesus told him, 'your son will live.'  The man believed what Jesus said to him and departed."

John 4:50

... but the man didn't actually see the Sign when it happened, per se.  You see, Christ is standing some twenty miles from the sick child in question, so when he tells the father that all will be well, the father has only one recorded response: he believed Jesus.  It is in this way that there are actually two Signs here, but I'll get to the second one in a moment. 

For starters, we need to compare this slightly to the water to wine.  All Christ said about the water was to pour it in the jars, then take some out and have the chief servant taste it.  It was wine, and it was amazing.  However, it needs to be pointed out again that He did not waving of hands or mystical incantation or any other such thing.  He just thought it, and then spoke it, and it was so. 

The same is true of this boy, even over twenty miles away.  If you recall, Jesus saw Nathanael under the fig tree before calling him into service, and Jesus is the Word that created and spoke on all things.  He is eternal, immortal, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, and immutable.  He sees all of time in a single frame, and He judges us with righteous purpose and perfect love... all of us, in all of time, because He is not confined by time or space or anything else.  So He thought the wellness of the boy, and then He spoke it, and it was so.  Distance has no bearing on Christ, friend, and that is something that you and I must always strive to keep on the forefront of our thought and prayer life.

So the father goes, and is met halfway by a servant who tells him that at the exact moment Jesus spoke the wellness of the boy, the child was instantly cured.  There was no delay - and there was no incompleteness - and there was no failure in that moment.  Jesus spoke... and it was so. 

The second Sign in this (almost a sub-topic that I believe to be quite important) comes from the father of the boy.  We don't know who he was or what his position or title were, but we do know that he had enough faith to travel to see Jesus and ask for the wellness of his son.  We know that he was successful in that approach, and he did ask this of the Christ.  We know that Jesus said to him that the boy would live.  But the most important part of this is that the dad said nothing in response, but took the command given to him and BELIEVED Jesus!

I've said it before, and I know I'll say it again, that there is a massive difference between believing IN Jesus and simply BELIEVING Jesus.  This man sought out a Sign, and was given one, but what if he had doubted?  Would the story be the same?  Clearly, Jesus knew that he would accept and believe, but that leads me to think that possibly this man and this issue were selected by Christ so that the people around would be able to see a man with instant and unfaltering belief.  Jesus just told him to go home, because all would be well (paraphrased), and the man accepted this Sign and instruction without hesitation... and all those around him saw this exchange, and then certainly learned that the Sign was performed.  In this way, God was glorified, and He is still receiving praises for this Sign to this day!

Pray thankfully today for those moments when you arte clearly instructed to move in a specific direction.  Pray even harder for the conviction to follow the command given to you, no matter the circumstance, so that you can be a light to others, just as this man was.  The joy that had to be in Capernaum over this Sign was probably quite intense, and all of it pointed to Christ.  We should do the same.

God bless you all!!!

The second Sign... part 2...

So we're back in Cana, and we're now looking into the repetition of things.  This is a good practice, by the way, since we need to see what things matter to the Father through His Word, so that we can then prioritize the things that matter to us by His example.  But let's look at a second, and more powerful, aspect of this today.  

"There was a certain royal official whose son was ill at Capernaum."

John 4:46b

The first time we were in Cana, Jesus turned water to wine with only a thought.  The jars were in close proximity, though, which for some reason makes it seem more feasible than in a distance of over twenty miles, but we'll get to more of that in a moment.

A royal official has an issue.  A member of the established elite, one of the very people that is probably quite oppressive toward the people under the misinterpretation of the laws of God as handed down by Moses, has an ill son, and wishes for him to be made well.  There is no mention of attempts to see other physicians or faith healers, but I'm fairly certain that this father had sought everyone possible.  And then, almost "miraculously," he hears that Jesus in near enough to travel and meet face to face.  The journey of over twenty miles is made, and the request is brought forward.

He doesn't just ask Jesus to heal the son, though... he "pleaded" with Christ to save the boy's life.  There is a similar miracle in another Gospel with a named Roman official, in which a servant is sent to ask for healing for a child.  The Centurion, as I see it, could not bear to face Christ directly.  That Roman saw himself for the first time, humbling himself enough to seek help from this Jesus person, and saw what Jesus would see if He were present... that Roman man, Jairus, saw his own sin.  Therefore, he sent a servant to ask on his behalf, because he was not worthy to have Christ in his home.  This father, though, is probably not a Roman... he is probably serving under Herod Antipas, and is of the Jewish faith.  He goes directly, personally, to Jesus to plead for his son's life.  In those days, without the convenience (or trappings, perhaps) of our modern era, a twenty mile trip was probably quite the undertaking... but he did it for his son.  Also, imagine the fear of leaving the child behind to go and ask a question, one to which you do not know the answer.  He left his sick child to go and seek out the Christ, because all other options had failed. 

He comes face to face with Christ, and begs for his son to be saved.  Now, please notice this picture as I paint with my imagination brush: a royal official travelled to meet a Peasant (backwards), and the official is pleading for a favor from said Peasant (backwards), and the Peasant has mercy upon the official (backwards).  I picture this (completely my own imagery here, folks) as a king leaving his palatial comfort to bow to a commoner and beg for forgiveness... the establishment bowing and seeking favor from the Lord.  Interesting thought, right?

This man, whoever he was, is not named, and has no other references to himself in this Gospel... but the Sign performed for God's glory that involves him is amazing!  Next we'll get deeper into what happened and how, and close out this powerful moment.

God bless you all!!!

The second Sign... part 1...

We begin into the second sign today, and I find it powerful that certain things are in play with this one.  But for our first portion, we're going to cover one of the simplest lessons that can be taught about Biblical study, and we're going to make a specific point very clear.

Sign #2 - Healing the Official's Son

"Then He went again to Cana of Galilee, where He had turned the water into wine."

John 4:46a

There is an old saying (which I will paraphrase, but not quote), which teaches the importance of paying attention to things that are repeated.  Patterns tend to form when repetition occurs, and those patterns can be examined and learned from.  Better than that, those patterns can be taken apart and put back together, and they are proven to be accurate through that process.  And when a word or action or thought or theme is repeated in the Word, we should all take notice.

We return to Cana... we're back at the site of the first Sign.  Please recall, Jesus headed back this way purposefully, and He took the path that placed Him in a Samaritan village so that He could speak to a specific woman at the well about salvation and grace.  As a dear friend of mine pointed out to me last night, Jesus went out of His way to find the lowest of the low, and encourage that person specifically.  And after doing so, and revealing Himself as Messiah to her, we arrive back in Cana.

It even states in the verse that He goes "again" to Cana, so the point that we need to take away from that is that there is a level of importance being placed here.  And if we reflect back on this small town, and the servant who saw the first Sign performed and then believed in Him, there is a lot that can be said about a return to the same small community to perform another Sign before them.  (In a way, it's a lot like a grassroots movement that starts in small towns and grows into something unstoppable... actually, it's exactly that!) 

We'll discuss an even bigger point next, but for now, in both this and other studies, make certain you pay attention to the repetitions in Scripture.  Think about it this way: if it weren't of any importance, it wouldn't have been written down at all... and it certainly wouldn't have been repeated.

God bless you all!!!

Between 1 and 2...

So, a few things transpire between Signs 1 and 2, and they are worth taking note of for our purpose. First of all, Jesus ends up having a deeply Theological discussion with Nicodemus, and the Jewish leader refers to multiple "signs" that are being performed, most of which are not recorded in this particular Gospel. Nicodemus also acknowledges that Jesus is "from" God, but does not accept that Jesus IS God in the flesh. And in this discussion, physical birth and Spiritual birth are compared and contrasted greatly by the Savior.


Then we see John the Baptist, proclaiming Jesus' greatness and divinity to his own followers. John is adamant that he is the best man, and Jesus is the Groom... and the best man must decrease so that the Groom can increase. This is true of us all - He must increase within us, and we must willfully decrease our own desires and thoughts (which are of the flesh) so that He can replace them with thoughts of Heavenly purpose. We also see that Jesus "gives the Spirit without measure (3:34b)," and from that one statement, we can know that He is more than gracious to us, and more than loving... He is perfect!


(On a side note from that same point, it should be mentioned here that the next time anyone around points out that something isn't "fair," it should be recognized that fairness is NOT a Biblical concept. We do not receive what is "fair," given our fallen and sinful nature through which we are all conceived and into which we are all born, because if we did receive what was "fair," we would never have had the opportunity to receive Christ. His forgiveness is boundless and immeasurable... so it stands to reason that His judgment is the same... so asking for "fair" is a bad idea.)


Then we continue the Gospel by looking into the discussion at the well with the Samaritan woman. The same concept of water is used to describe the salvation Christ offers, though this time it relates to thirst being quenched. The odd part of this, for the Jews looking on, was that Jesus was not just talking to a woman... she was a Samaritan woman... and Jewish men didn't talk to Samaritan men at all, to say nothing of their women. But, as is true of the entire Gospel of John, Christ SHOWS His love for all of humanity as He speaks to this woman, and chooses to reveal Himself to her as Messiah. To date, that statement had not yet been made by Christ in this Gospel, and He chose to tell her first... a Samaritan woman!


Naturally, she goes into the village, and draws the men out to see Christ, and they all proclaim Him to be the Savior of the world. The Savior of the WORLD, friends, not just a certain sect of people or a specific color or man-made creed, written and rewritten to perfection (as best we can define it), but the WORLD. They see it... so why don't people today see it?


Of course, there is also the discussion of the harvest, and the information given is in the form of a parable, even though it is not called such. The people are ripe and ready to be harvested back to the Farmer, and it is time to go and work the fields. Christian brothers and sisters, this is a directive to us, as well, to go and work the fields before us! There are people in our lives right now, yours and mine, that NEED to hear about Christ and what He has done for them. He deems it time to harvest this crop, and we are not capable of posing argument against that directive.


Next we will begin the second Sign, and I pray that you are keeping with us in all aspects, and reading diligently through the Gospel of John (and the rest of the Bible) for added insight and direction from the Spirit each and every day.


God bless you all!!!

The first Sign... part 5...

This will be the closing thought on the first Sign, and I am thrilled to get to the next segments of this already exciting study.  Also, this will be, by far, the shortest of the thoughts from the first Sign... but it is loaded with meaning, and perhaps one of the most important and impactful things we should all take away from this passage of John.

You see, using the same verse from yesterday (2:9a), we see the people who were aware of what actually happened.  We also see in verse 11 that the disciples must have seen it, because they began to believe IN Him.  But, out of curiosity, did you notice who wasn't there to witness this Sign?  Clearly, the chief servant didn't see it happen, and the happy couple must not have known.  The guests were most likely all oblivious to the happenings of the day, as well.  Most importantly, though, is that the Sanhedrin was not present.

The Jewish elite had become quite corrupt, and they had gone from looking to God for their law to making the law their god.  The status quo had become what really mattered to the leadership, and all they were truly concerned with was maintaining their levels of importance and lifestyle.  In that vein, they did and said the things that leaders are supposed to say and do, and they were filled with "apparent" conviction in each and every action and statement.  But their practices, policies, thoughts, and dreams were not for the things of God.

So when Jesus Christ, the Son of God, decided to perform such a Sign, he did so in view of only a few normal people, and none of the leaders of the day.  And this teaches us all that no matter how loudly you pray or sing or preach, no matter how obvious it is that you are in church every Sunday and you fast and you tithe and you live according to the Commandments, if your heart is not set upon the things of Heaven... if your heart does not belong to Christ... then it's all just a show.

Give thanks, friends, that your time today and every day can be spent in the presence of God, like the servants at the wedding.  Say a prayer of thanks that you can witness the most subtle of signs, and know that Jesus is Lord of all!

God bless you all!!! 

The first Sign... part 4...

So we know where, we know what, and we know how all this happened.  All of these probably are the main points to discover in this particular Sign... but I think that there is one more exceptional item to uncover.  And it shows the truth of the Messiah for us all to see.

"When the chief servant tasted the water (after it had become wine), he did not know where it came from - though the servants who had drawn the water knew."

John 2:9a

Jesus looked at the servants and told them to draw the water, and then He thought it into wine.  The only people present for this were the servants who were performing the work, although the passage does go on to say that Jesus' glory was displayed before the disciples... so perhaps they were there watching.  But the main point of focus here is that Jesus DID what He needed to do, and He did not SAY anything about it.  To be blunt, all that was said about it was that the jars should be filled, and that some should be drawn and brought to the chief servant. 

I'm gonna stop and camp on that point again: He DID what needed to be done, but SAID next to nothing about it. 

There were a few people there who knew what had happened, and those same few knew that the glory belonged to God for the Sign performed, but the chief servant did no investigation to find out where the wine came from.  He simply praised the groom for bringing out the best wine at the end, rather than the beginning, and went on with the party.  Jesus said nothing to contradict this, and, in fact, left after the Sign was performed.  And that brings us to the final point for this sign...

Jesus displays, in these actions and words, the deepest level of humility possible.  He allows for those few who saw to understand that He performed the Sign, but makes no motion to have the guests understand that this was a Sign of His divinity.  And there are a few who probably become converts to follow after witnessing this wonderful moment. 

Imagine it: you watch a woman tell her Son the wine is gone, and then He tells you to fill the jars with water.  Then He tells you to draw some out and send it to the chief servant for tasting, and the chief servant gives the praise and glory to the groom.  Further, as the servants watch, the Man who told them about the water and the drawing out of it, He takes no credit for the act.  He just walks away.  And in not being arrogant about it, He stands apart from the religious elite of the day, and is a better Man to follow than any other on the planet.

Humility is what we should all endeavor to show - and we should show it, as best we can, in great and vast, unending abundance with reckless abandon to anyone, anywhere, at any time.  We must, must, must work diligently to do so, because Jesus did NOTHING less for us... and this first Sign that He performed for the people was nothing short of awesome. 

So give thanks today for His provision towards you.  Whether in wine or in Spirit or in any other way, the Messiah loves you... and He will show that to you.

God bless you all!!!

The first Sign... part 3...

So we're at a wedding, and we're definitely out of wine.  Mary walks into the area, and makes the statement that tells us we're out of wine, and all Jesus asks is what it has to do with Him.  But then something happens in this Sign that speaks unfathomable volumes about what Christ came to do.

"Now six stone water jars had been set there for Jewish purification.  Each contained 20 or 30 gallons."

John 2:6, HCSB

So, for a moment, let's assume that we are in the middle of the estimated range on these six stone jars, and we'll call it at 25 gallons each.  That totals to 150 gallons of liquid, if my math is correct.  Given that number, I would like for you to imagine 150 jugs of milk and the amount of space that would take up.  Also, imagine how many bowls of cereal could be prepared with the average amount in each regular size bowl (which is equivalent to the average 4-6 oz wine glass), and think about the scope.  Huge, right? 


Ready for a shocker?  Assuming in the middle, again, with a 5 oz glass of wine, there would be enough to serve a single glass to 3,840 people from those jars.  Ponder on that while you read the rest.


Those jars were set aside for ritual purification, the washing of the body to cleanse oneself before offering sacrifice or prayer.  This practice has become so ingrained in the Jewish people that these stone jars were most likely considered close to, if not completely, sacred.  They had a single purpose, and it was to hold blessed water that could be used to purify the flesh before a sacrifice was offered of any kind, or before the temple was entered.  These would only, under the system of law at the time, be filled (or even touched) by priests or temple servants.  So let's look at what happened...


We know, as Christians, that he religious elite of the day had made the law their god, rather than looking at God for the law.  The filling of the jars really isn't that big a deal, but the fact that the water intended for purification was turned to wine... in some ways, Jesus defiled the purification jars (which could not possibly purify) in order to show that the law is NOT what is worthy of worship.  Christ's offering to us all is vastly better, more powerful, more important, and far more desirable than what those jars could ever deliver with mere water.


Jesus tells the servants to fill them with water, and they do.  And then, without missing a moment, He tells them to draw some out and take it to the chief servant (like a Maitre' D would be to us).  The chief servant tastes the water, already wine, and then begins to shout praises onto the groom of the wedding.  Why?  Because the best... the VERY BEST... was brought out last!  Usually, in that time, the best was served first so that people would lose taste concerns and inhibitions later in the evening... but this was opposite, and the very best came out last.


To put a necessary looking glass over it, the things this world has to offer are all immediate, and in our American culture, we fall to the desire for instant gratification all too often.  Regardless of what the area of sin is in our lives, we all (at some point) choose the quicker path, rather than being patient for the Father to deliver us His very best!  And Jesus offers just that.  In another sense, this life is only the beginning, and the best is yet to come.  It will begin with our end here on earth, as we transition into Heaven to be with Him for eternity. 


Further, the sheer amount of the wine available draws a direct comparison to the over-abundance of Christ's love for us.  There aren't many weddings today, even those over-popularized on TV, which contain 3,000+ guests, so I'm betting this wedding didn't have that many folks, either.  Also noteworthy is that Jesus didn't go near the jars, and He didn't gesture at all, He just said to fill them, and then said to draw some out.  Again, we see the immense amount of love that He carries for us all, in that His abundance pours into us with NO EFFORT, because that is just Who He is!


Most important, though, is what we'll cover tomorrow.  A character trait that He models here, and that we should all (myself definitely included) endeavor to emulate.


God bless you all!!!

The first Sign... part 2...

So we know that the first Sign is that water is transformed into wine.  And we know that this takes place at a wedding, bringing forth powerful symbolism of a new beginning and a union... a creation of a new being entirely.  Today, let's take a second to look into how the Sign was brought about.  It's quite interesting...

"When the wine ran out, Jesus' mother told Him, 'They don't have any wine.'  'What has this concern of yours to do with Me, woman?' Jesus asked.  'My hour has not yet come.'"

John 2:3-4, HCSB

So the folks here are all at this wedding in Cana, and the bride and groom have served all of the wine that is available.  However, the party isn't showing signs of stopping, and a good host keeps serving the guests, right?  There is no mention of the guests ever noticing that the wine has run dry, just a moment when Mary comes the Jesus and tells Him that the wine is gone.  (Really, that's kind of a trivial matter to bring to the Son of God... but that shows the beauty of His love for us, as well, in that smallest things in our lives ARE important to Him!)

People who read this and don't finish this Gospel or read the entire Bible would probably think that Jesus' reply was curt or rude.  But the truth is, Jesus knew what was being asked, and He was simply stating that the time for His glory to be revealed to all is not yet at hand.  Signs of His divinity will bring questions, and the people around at this particular venue are not ready to ask the tough questions.  Further, Jesus still has plenty to accomplish on Earth at this point, and to draw extra attention to Himself as the Messiah is not appropriate at this time.  So He points out, almost as if to throw suspicion off of His ability to do anything about the situation, that this has nothing to do with Him. 

But don't miss the facts of what happened in this moment, folks.  Mary walked into the area where Jesus was, and some servants were nearby.  She pretty much asked Him for a miracle, even if she wasn't fully aware f what she was asking for.  He told her no, because it is not time for the Son to be revealed.  And then, in the greatest moment of this story, Mary turned to the servants and told them, "Do whatever He tells you (John 2:5a)."  She had faith in Him, and knew that He would do "something," but didn't know what or how.  It is possible, I guess, that she could have expected that He send them to get more wine from another place.  Also possible, I assume, would be that He could have travelled to another place to get the wine personally.  But that is NOT what He did.

Tomorrow we'll cover what choice was made, and how it affects the outcome of this Sign... but a Sign was performed, and that Sign existed for those people just as plainly as the noses on their faces.  They may not have realized what happened or why, or Who took care of it, but they certainly knew that something was done... and it was AMAZING!

Pray thankfully today, friends, that Jesus was willing at some point in your life to create a new being entirely out of what you were.  Give thanks that His Sign (miracle) in you is still alive and well today.  Thanks be to God!

God bless you all!!!

The first Sign... part 1...

We're getting started with the Signs today... and the first one is going to see is at an amazing event.  We're going to go through these in multiple posts, and there will be several points on each that we can look into and learn from.  To say the least, I'm excited!!!

Sign #1 - Water to Wine

"On the third day, a wedding took place in Cana of Galilee."

John 2:1a, HCSB

We're going to start at the beginning, and look at some serious symbolism here.  First off, this "transformation" is happening on the third day, and all Christians know that there is significance to that timing.  It is similar to the comparison of the time period of forty days in both the Old and New Testaments.  And, honestly, if it were not important, and had been just any other day, the author would probably have just mentioned that they were at a wedding, not including what day it was.

Secondly, and the main focus of our time today, is that this Sign occurs at a wedding.  Jesus Christ is the Bridegroom, and we (the church) are the bride He comes to take.  And the transformation of the water into wine, going from one thing to entirely another, mirrors the transformation of two individuals becoming one flesh in marriage... they go from one thing to an entirely different thing.  It's a pretty big deal, you know?

Ephesians 5 covers the importance of the marital relationship from both aspects, male and female... husband and wife.  The wife, the bride, is to honor and respect and submit to the groom.  This does not in any way imply indentured servitude or slavery... it's being respectful to follow the lead of the groom.  And for the groom, the instruction is to hold the bride up as BLAMELESS, taking all the responsibility for all actions... the model is Christ, and the way He stood in the path of God's wrath for all of us.

So let's start today with the simple truth that of all the places this Sign could have happened, it happened at a wedding.  John uses this first moment as a beginning to the pointing toward Jesus as the Messiah, Emmanuel, the Son of God, through His earthly ministry.  And in the act of providing better wine than what is currently available, Jesus shows His immense love for the people around Him.  Also of importance here is that since He knows everything about these people, and all of them (like us) are undoubtedly sinners, He is providing the best wine possible at an opportune time to those who certainly do not deserve it... and that defines the exceptional grace that pours onto us all!

God bless you all!!!

The Signs... according to the Gospel of John...

So, before we get into any of the specific signs, there are a few things that I want to cover about why this particular Gospel was chosen for this study.  And please know, there was a lot of thought and prayer put into the decision of it, for sure.

For starters, this Gospel is different from the other three, in that it is more interpretive.  It has been said to me that "the heart of the matter is a matter of the heart," and this Gospel shows the heart within the earthly ministry of our Savior.  It is shown through the first few verses of the first chapter, as the plans of our Three-In-One God are shown, and we see that not only did God speak everything into existence, but He spoke it all through the Word: Jesus Christ. 

Secondly, this Gospel just oozes grace upon grace upon grace into the lives of those who read it.  It shows the love of Christ for His people from such a personal place.  Granted, all of the Gospels show the same love for us all, but this one, because of the way it is written, feels more personal... it's factual, like Luke, but warmer... it's action-packed, like Mark, but with deeper meanings and more detail... it's thorough, like Matthew, but more in feeling. 

Third, this Gospel is the single-most popular among all my friends, regardless of denomination.  My Catholic friends love it, my Baptist friends love it, my Lutheran friends love it, my Methodist friends love it... every Christian I know, regardless of church affiliation or use of liturgy, just loves it.  And that, I believe, is attributed mostly to the inclusion of the single verse that all Christians know:

"For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life."

John 3:16, HCSB

And finally, while this particular Gospel has less miracles than some others, there is a lot of backing for each one listed.  Therefore, a lot of digging can be done, and a lot of discovery is possible!  God's Word, all of it on every single page of the Bible, is meant for us to be able to discover Him more and more each day.    

Also, you should know that this Gospel refers to each miracle as a "Sign," because John is pointing the way to Christ.  John is pointing the way and paving the road to and for the Messiah.  These "Signs" are as plain to John as the street signs we drive past every day, and he makes use of them in instructing us to follow Christ.

So today, we'll begin by centering ourselves properly on a couple of key points.  These will be guiding principles for this (and every) study of God's Word.  First, God is God... no one else.  Second, God is incapable of being wrong, as He is perfect.  Third, the Holy Bible is His Word, inspired directly by Him through those He chose to record and share it.  Tying to that, every single character of writing in the Bible is a God-breathed one.  Lastly, we are the creature, and He is the Creator... and that relationship will not ever change in scope, so the proper amount of respect is required.  Lacking that respect or questioning the Word are both blasphemy, like it or not.  Center yourself in prayer today before we begin... and as we go, be certain to remain prayerful and cognizant of God's presence and person in His Signs, and in His Word.

God bless you all!!!

Like a Chainmailed Pomegranate... continued...

Blessed friends, I hold in my hands the first printed copies of my second book, Like a Chainmailed Pomegranate.

For those of you who missed the original study that prompted it, this is a book that combines the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians with the armor of God in Ephesians, asking the question of how we protect that which is most important: our character.  Each of us, in character, is defined by certain aspects of how we are to determine who we are.  Think about it for a moment, and ponder on whether or not you are filled with love... joy... peace... patience... and all the rest of the components of the fruit.  This builds your character.  It helps to determine how you will respond to a given situation. 

Likewise, think for a moment about what the enemy seeks in Spiritual Warfare.  The primary goal is to have you and me and all of us give up on our convictions... to change our disposition... to lose our character.  The aim is not at our flesh, although the attacks usually serve some purpose of the flesh.  No, friend, the aim is to rattle your love for each other... your joy... your peace... your patience, etc.  Once those are shaken, your responses change.  And then, when you are snapping at everyone and have no solid foundation underneath you, are you showing the fruit of the Spirit?  No.

Therefore, we armor ourselves with Heavenly armor, and we guard our fruit in this same manner.  No arrow of the enemy can pierce our shield of faith, because it is OF faith, and it is FROM God, and the enemy cannot overcome it.  And, as he cannot succeed in that attack, he cannot reach our kindness, our goodness, our faith, our self-control, etc.  We cannot be turned against ourselves and each other by him.

Prayerfully consider contacting me for a copy, so that you can cover these two important passages on your own, or with a small group or Sunday School class.  This warfare is real, and it happens every day in every way.  

And, as always, I pray grace and peace over you and yours, my blessed friends.

God bless you all!!! 

Like a Chainmailed Pomegranate

Ladies and gentlemen, my second book "Like a Chainmailed Pomegranate" is coming in next week!  I am receiving 45 copies initially, some of which are already spoken for, and the rest will be available to anyone interested, all autographed and mailed directly to you.

This work combines the fruit of the Spirit and the armor of God, looking into how we arm ourselves for Spiritual warfare andf protect our fruit from the assaults of the enemy.  It is a deeper work than the first one, and covers much more ground in both Scripture and personal introspection.  And while it is not specifically written in a devotional style, it could certasinly be applied that way.

If you are interested, please message me directly for details on cost and shipping, and be sure to include your address.  Also, if you are interested in my first book, I have only a few copies available, but would certainly love to share that with you, as well.

4thwallministries@gmail.com 

And, as always, I pray grace and peace over you and yours, my blessed Christian family!

God bless you all!!!

After Valentine's Day...

I made mention of a little "candy heart" that we received once, and that was not a light statement.  It is the truth that that message of come and rest was delivered to every Christian at some point in life.  But what follows it?  There are far too many people who place such extreme importance on a day like February 14, and I wonder if they realize that love should always be a constant... even and especially if there is no reason.  Can you think of Someone who shows you that kind of love?

"Dust, generations, thousands of years of beautiful hope.  Men long gone before me sang to God from this handbook.  I can hear singing... I can hear singing...

Oh Your love is so unbelievable!  It won't be long yet, we'll need another song to sing.  Your love is so unbelievable!  We'll sing through the ages: Your love is unbelievable!"

from the song "Unbelievable" by downhere

I read a blog that spoke against the concept of unconditional love, in saying that God doesn't necessarily "love you no matter what you do or who you are" (paraphrased main theme, not a direct quote), and I agree completely.  That writer pointed out clearly the truth that God loves us all IN SPITE of what we do and who we are.  But those who receive God's unbelievable love do change... they change not because they are required to by some ridiculous mandate laid before them from other men, but because they WANT to be different and try to show honor to the Father!  It is a similar concept to the teaching in James that tells us that "faith without works is dead (2:17)," in that when we are strengthened by faith and that faith is real and present within our lives, we go and grow into different and less-bad people.

"Buildings, stone by stone, choirs of angels sing on Sunday mornings.  Through the wood and stained glass windows, paintings of stories dance in color.  I can hear singing... I can hear singing...

Oh Your love is so unbelievable! It won't be long yet, we'll need another song to sing. Your love is so unbelievable! We'll sing through the ages: Your love is unbelievable!"

from the song "Unbelievable" by downhere

His love is just that, friends... unbelievable!  It stands for us to see as an example and an encouragement, and it is always there.  But that doesn't give us license to "pray the prayer and go on with our lives," as it were, because we should want to be better after asking the Creator of the universe to live inside us.  We must, must, MUST understand how huge that is!

"And can it be that I should gain an unbelievable love, unbelievable love?  Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, of unbelievable love... unbelievable love!  For the LORD God omnipotent He reigns in unbelievable love!"

from the song "Unbelievable" by downhere

Brothers and sisters in Christ, I beg you to realize today that His love is our example of what to live up to (John 13:34), and that His love is exceptionally unbelievable.  It cannot fully be explained or described in words, because it's something you just feel.  And, as odd as this may sound to some, He doesn't pick just one day of the year to show it, but rather has decided to continually pour it onto us all for all eternity... and we should do the same.

God bless you all!!!

Valentine's Day...

Today, I would ask that each and every married person who reads through my musings give special thanks to the Father for their spouse.  Marriage is such a sacred and blessed covenant between one man and one woman, and it is wonderful to know exactly who your "Valentine" will be for all time.

I would also ask, for those of you not yet married, that you consider carefully who it is you ask to be your "Valentine."  The single-most important job you will EVER HAVE IN YOUR TIME ON THIS EARTH is as a husband or wife, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with a lengthy and thorough interview process.  And make no mistake, this interview is important beyond measure... as is the awesome responsibility that follows acceptance of the vows and commitment.

And for all of us, we need to remember that the best little candy heart we ever received in our entire life had one message on it, and it was a powerful one.  This little candy heart that we were given one day changed our lives for all eternity.  And regardless of the color that it came in for you, which was certainly different than the color it was for me, the message was the same:

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28 (NIV 1984)

So today, amidst your revelry and sharing of affections, please remember that there was a moment in your life accompanied with this precise message, and it was given to you on the best Valentine's Day ever (regardless of the actual calendar day or date), and it was delivered directly by the Creator if the universe, God the Father, through Jesus Christ's Atonement for the sins of all, whispered to you by the Holy Spirit.  Never forget that the greatest love you will ever know comes from above, and never, ever stop giving thanks for the blessing to receive it.

God bless you all!!!

More on prayer... while we wait...

You know what... I have another deep thought on prayer to share with you, and it will not take long for me to explain it.  This will be one of the shortest posts I have ever shared, but I pray that the brevity will only enhance the impact.

When you have a prayer request, you need to enlist the powerful and effective prayers of the saints around you.  You need a prayer army, and you need to deploy them when the time is right.

Yep... that's really it.

God bless you all!!!

Still waiting...

Continuing from the previous thought, I would like to encourage you again today to spend some time in prayer.  But today, I would like to ask you to join me in a specific prayer... one that might seem odd at first, but one that I think you'll understand better than any other.  I would like for you to join me in giving thanks for all of the answered prayers that were OPPOSITE of the answer you wanted.  I'll explain...

We know from Isaiah 55 that God's ways and thoughts are far, FAR above our own, and that we cannot possibly understand or grasp what it is He's doing.  At least, we cannot understand all of it.  We further understand, as Christians, that it should be our highest goal to live within His will for our lives, as that will allow Romans 8:28 to take full form.  But for some reason, there are things that we pray for that we do not receive the answer we want to receive... and sometimes, we forget to pray about it at all.  

In all honesty, I'm really bad about that.  Like, really bad about it.  Terrible would be an apt descriptor.

Recently, I had a feeling that I was to return to school and pursue a degree from a Seminary.  I have all the backing I need from those who would encourage and uplift me, I have the letters of recommendation necessary, I have all the major requirements... but I decided that before I leapt down this road (which would certainly NOT be an easy or inexpensive one), I would pray about it.  However, I did something unconventional in this application... I asked specifically that people pray about it, and that they pray that the answer would be given through my wife, not through me, so that I could not invent it.  And I let go of it, prayed myself for the same thing, and waited.

While waiting, I was filling out scholarship forms and applications, getting all documents necessary, looking into different basic concepts that would aid the schooling process, etc.  I was living that faith that I should go by performing the works necessary in order to go.  And then the answer came, clear as a bell ringing, from my wife.  She said, "Not now."  (That's not an exact quote, but it simplifies a very lengthy discussion.) 

She was upset at telling me the answer she felt, but I was not.  I told her what I had requested for prayer, and how I requested the answer be delivered.  I shared with her that all the people I had asked (and there were a BUNCH of them) had committed to pray specifically in that vein, and that I felt so blessed to have received such a clear answer.  And while you may wonder why it would come back in the "not now" style, as I most certainly wondered, you need to see that it simply is not that time for me.  Now is not that time for that specific journey, for me or for my family... because it would certainly have effects on all of us.

Here's the cool part, though.  After deciding to be faithful to the answer given, things started happening that can only be explained as blessings upon us.  I cannot get into specifics on all of it, but let's just say that one seemingly impossible situation was instantly relieved, another always-looking-bleaker situation was immediately reversed, and all the glory for all of it goes to the Father who blessed us.  I wonder if it would be the same way if I had decided that my wife "heard it wrong," but then I remember that I cannot live on speculation, and I have these blessings upon me that I MUST honor.  

So I would like you to join me in praying a prayer of thanks for those things that did not turn out the way you wanted them to, because you see now that there is a greater process at work.  There is a plan bigger than the one each of us has, and it is greater and larger and not ever meant for harm, according to the teachings of Jeremiah 29:11.  Thank God for keeping you from barreling down a path you weren't ready to endure.  Praise Him for the wisdom that is imparted to others, wisdom to which you should listen and adhere.  Glorify Him by accepting His answer the FIRST TIME He gives it, without assuming that you heard wrong, or that it can't be that you're not supposed to do {fill-in-the-blank}.  

I'll close with a thought from my favorite band, downhere, from their song "Great Are You:"
"It makes me wonder, who am I?  Who am I?  Who am I, and great are You!"

God bless you all!!!  

Not there yet...

Blessed friends, I have come to the decision to move forward with the miracles of Jesus, but it will probably not begin for a bit.  In the mean time, I will post as often as I am able while I study up on the miracles, before leading through them all. 

One thing I would ask is that you join me in prayer before the next formal study begins, that we would all be lifted by the Spirit into a place of learning and knowledge.  I would ask that you also pray that we all be challenged to ask ourselves the question, "Now that I have this knowledge, how shall I apply it to my life right now?"  Further, I would ask that you pray that all of us have the courage to answer that question with action and purpose.

But in the time until then, I would mainly ask that you just pray... pray for whatever God lays upon your heart each day, in every moment, and don't concern yourself so much with the words as with the intent of the heart.  Pray earnestly for whatever it is you pray for, and discover that you can just have a wonderful conversation with your Heavenly Father and Creator.  Allow the Spirit to intercede as only He can, and let Jesus fill your whole being with the peace that passes all understanding.

Not enough people pray as often as they should, and there are some still who pray often, but not in the intent that they should, and then there are still others who don't hardly pray at all in either case.  Pray.  And pray honestly.  Pray well.  Pray for whatever it is that you feel led to pray about... or, as I said, just converse with God. 

Most importantly, though, pray for the wisdom to know when to listen with a clear mind for the Father's reply.  Practice kneeling in humility and bowing your head, clearing your thoughts so that you can hear Him speaking to you.  Realize that as the creature, we need direction from the Creator.  And, as you ponder these things, recognize that there is no way you can hear the answer to the question if you never stop talking.  Listen.  Listen openly, and listen for His will and His purpose in your life and in your request.  And then, once you hear, GO AND DO!!!

Ignorance may be bliss, but we are not ignorant of the Father or His ways of communication with us.  He communicates through the people around us, the situations we're leaving/in/headed to, and through His Word.  But, like any conversation, it must be two-sided, and that means that we have to stop talking and listen.  (Hard for me, for those of you who know me personally, but necessary.)  Listen today, and be blessed for doing so.

God bless you all!!! 

While we're waiting...

While we're waiting to get to the new study, please take the time (roughly 4 minutes) to watch the video contained in this post.  Take the time to really listen to it, and then think... really think... are you known by a denomination?  Or are you known as a Christian?

I tell people who ask me what I am that I am a Christian who has found a home in a Baptist church... but the truest expression of the Church is the body of believers, regardless of denomination or political affiliation or gender or ethnicity, who believe whole-heartedly that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that He paid the ultimate price and died for our sins, as the propitiation for our transgressions... and that He did so, in this one perfect act, so that we could be reconciled back to the Father from whence we came. 

Never forget, friends, that regardless of your color or language or location or any other such ridiculous man-made concern, there was a time in your life that you admitted your sin and need for a Redeemer, a perfect and blameless High Priest.  And in that moment, He looked upon you and had every reason to tell you that you were worthless... but He accepted you instead, and took your punishment upon Himself ENTIRELY, offering you grace and peace and communion directly with the Father in Heaven.

May God bless you all, and, as always, I pray grace and peace over you and yours with fervency and determined expectancy!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IAhDGYlpqY&context=C395b49eADOEgsToPDskIB-nSuYRatkDhrOKOCr5nB

Next study...

Blessed ones, I do believe I have discovered what we will move into next.  I am leaning on a few very close friends and a family member for this one, but I do believe we will be moving into a deep study of the miracles of Christ.

We will go fairly slowly, and compare across the Gospels to ensure we cover all aspects of each one.  I am quite excited with the possibility of covering it all, and I look forward to what we will soon learn.  Grace and peace, my wonderful friends!

God bless you all!!!