The Resurrection and the Life

May 20, 2012

Lesson: John 11:1–5, 20–27, 38–44

Key Verse: John 11:25

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Introduction

Christ asked Martha, “Believest thou this?” Charles Spurgeon titled his discourse with these three words, “The Believer Catechized.” He wrote that “Faith cannot believe what it does not know, and, therefore, you have missed fat things full of marrow and wines on the lees well refined, which might have been your strength and your joy. We should all of us grow in comfort if we grew in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and had a more intelligent appreciation of the preciousness of the truths which he has revealed.”

Faith or belief is strengthened as it is nourished through a strong meditation upon the written Word of God. Then we can say that our faith is truly defined as convinced in whom Christ is as He is revealed in Scripture. We hear Christ say, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), and we respond: We believe this! We are convinced of the truth of this doctrine or teaching because of the promise of our Savior, who said, “when the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth; …He shall glorify (reveal his nature, etc.) me; for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you” (John 16:13–14). Faith teaches us that we are able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Thus, to catechize the believer, is to strengthen him or her in faith and practice.

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For the Glory of God—John 11:1–5

The glory of God is seen in our history as He providentially reveals Himself as Creator and Savior, working out all things together for His glory and our good. The historical narrative of Lazarus is given to us that we may understand who Christ is, to see His glory. Yea! More than that, to see that Lazarus lived, died, and was risen by counsel of the Triune God, that those who witnessed this miracle would see the glory of God in Christ Jesus.

Lazarus of Bethany was sick. His sisters, Martha and Mary (who had anointed Jesus with ointment, “and wiped his feet with her hair”), came to Jesus. They said to Him, “Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.” The word for love in this case is ‘phileo,’ directing us to that friendship love which Jesus had for Lazarus. Jesus had befriended Lazarus before. Would he now do so again? Jesus turns our eyes upon the real reason for the sickness of Lazarus. Lazarus will die. But his sickness “is not unto death”—but “for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” The Father and the Son will be recognized as the Spirit reveals them by divine revelation.

Scripture teaches us that “Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.” Martha had used the word for friendship love. Christ uses the word for willful compassion. Christ directs His unconditional love toward those whom He calls His friends. Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. …I have called you friends; for all things I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you” (John 15:13–15). For those whom He has directed His compassion, He has given His life that we might have life. He catechizes us, giving us His teaching that we might grow in this life. Therefore our prayers should be encouraged in Him who first loved us. Calvin’s words embolden us, “this is the invariable rule of praying aright; for, where the love of God is, there deliverance is certain and at hand, because God cannot forsake him whom he loveth.”

Discussion: For what reason has the sickness of Lazarus come to Christ’s attention?

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The Promised Resurrection—John 11:20–27

Marthad returned home. She heard that Jesus was coming and went to meet Him, while Mary stayed in the house. Martha confronted Jesus with these words, “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” Her faith was lacking in knowledge. She still believed that Jesus could have healed her brother. She had a lesson to learn about Him whom she called, Lord. Her faith was not lacking of hope. Martha continued speaking, “But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it to thee.” It is as if Martha was grasping for something to hold on to, even if it was a piece of straw. We do not see a reason for God not answering our request, and so we say, “His will be done,” to appease our disappointment. But it is not God who disappoints. It is our expectation, based upon a lack of knowledge or understanding of the glory or person of God and His works. Thus, when our prayers lack an answer, we must drive ourselves to His Word for understanding. We must be quiet to hear Him speak to us.

God will not chasten us for lack of understanding. He will direct us to the truth that will set us free to know and understand Him and His works. He will be kind to us in our faith as He was with Martha. He answers Martha’s understanding of His work with this truth, “Thy brother shall rise again.” He is going to catechize Martha in the truth of His coming as the resurrection and the life. Martha responds according to her understanding, “I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus directs her to look upon Him as the source of truth, saying, “I am the resurrection and the life, he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.”

Christ is the resurrection because, by the work of the Spirit, He regenerates those called to be children of the Father in heaven. He is the life because, without Him, there is not spiritual growth. “They who believe in Christ, though they were formerly dead, begin to live, because faith is a spiritual resurrection of the soul, and—so to speak—animates the soul itself that it may live to God” (Calvin). The Spirit nourishes the faith of Martha in teaching her the truth about the Savior before her. Her response comes from that faith as she testifies, “Yea, Lord, I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.” Christ is glorified! His reason for being sent of the Father is manifested in these words of faith.

Discussion: How is Christ glorified in the conversation between Him and Martha?

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Have You Seen His Glory?—John 11:38–44

Jesus comes to the tomb of Lazarus. He commands that they take away the stone from the entrance of the tomb. Martha says to Jesus, “Lord, by this time he stinketh; for he hath been dead four days.” Jesus reminds Martha, “Said I not unto thee, that if thou wouldst believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?” Our faith rests solely upon our Savior as He is revealed in the Divine Scriptures. When we try to define our faith by experiences or poor knowledge of His revelation, then we become foolish in our testimony. Through the teaching of the Holy Spirit, our hearts are catechized in the truth; then “our faith prepares the way for the power, mercy, and goodness of God, that they may be displayed towards us” (Calvin). When we place our faith in Christ, convinced of who He is, we see His glory. When we testify to others of our faith in Him as He is revealed in Scripture, we manifest His glory.

God’s Messiah, the Son of God, speaks to the Father, saying, “I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always; but because of the people which stand by, I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.” His voice then cried out, “Lazarus, come forth.” It was the glory of God the Father that was manifested as the one who had sent His beloved Son as Savior that whosoever believes, will be saved and have eternal life. Have you seen His glory, as of the only Beloved Son? Have you understood that He is your Savior who shed His blood for the forgiveness of sins, according to the Scriptures? Do your faith and testimony of so great a salvation declare His glory, revealing who Christ truly is? The more you are taught about Christ, the better is your faith and testimony. Do not rest upon your experience, but upon truth. Glorify God, therefore, in your faith and practice by declaring the truth of Jesus as He is revealed to you.

Discussion: How can you glorify God in your faith and testimony?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2012 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.

The Way, The Truth, The Life

May 27, 2012

Lesson: John 14:1–14

Key Verse: John 14:6

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Introduction

Christ testifies, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” We are also to believe that He is in the Father, and the Father in Him. (John 14:6, 10–11). Both the Father and the Son are revealed to us in Christ, in whom the fullness of the Godhead dwells (Col. 2:9). Christ, therefore, “is said to be the lively Image, or Portrait, of God, because in him God has fully revealed himself, so far as God’s infinite goodness wisdom, and power, are clearly manifested in him” (John Calvin).

Moses stood before the bush that burned but was not consumed. The judgment of the Lord came upon his people as a burning fire, yet they would not be consumed. For by grace alone the people of God are delivered from their own disobedience and foolishness. This deliverance is seen in these words of the Almighty God: “Certainly I will be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain” (Ex. 3:12). Moses then asked God that when he would come to the children of Israel and say to them, “The God your fathers has sent me to you,” and they would ask his name, then, “What shall I say to them?”  God answered, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he continued, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

We believe in and trust that the God of Moses is the same Lord who has brought us out of darkness into his marvelous light. We believe in the living and true God who deserves our allegiance; for we are to “fear the Lord thy God, and keep all his ordinances, and his commandments.” We are to be careful to observe his statutes because they have come from his mouth. We believe in him because he has revealed himself, as he truly is, confessing, “The Lord our God, the Lord is one!” There is no other name under heaven by which we are saved. We understand this to mean that the Lord alone is the Lord! Therefore, we take his words very seriously. When he commands us to teach them to our children we must obey by being diligent, talking to them about his word, when we sit in our house, and when we walk the paths of life.

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Many Dwelling Places—John 14:1–3

The Son of God, in who dwells the fullness of the Godhead, identifies Himself with the Father, saying, “Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in me.” The ever-present God, the “I AM” that was with Moses, is with us. A troubled heart does not rest upon the truth that our Savior is close by us at all times. The next statement reveals the hope of every Christian redeemed by Christ, that there is plenty of room in the household of God, each place having been prepared by the Father for His adopted children. This assurance that we have a place in the household of God is seen in our adoption which “is an act of God’s free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges of the sons of God” (S.C. 34). This place is one of fellowship and hope eternally as his very own children, “then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Rom. 8:17).

Christ’s promise is this: “In my Father’s house are many (dwelling places); if it were not so I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” What a wonderful picture of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Father adopts us and the Son justifies us and, in His resurrection, assures us of His eternal presence with us. Christ Jesus prepared a place for us by His death on the Cross of Calvary: “freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God” (Rom. 3:23–25). The “forbearance” of God reveals that it is at the Father’s good pleasure that the Son be “a propitiation” for our sins, satisfying His justice, which endures forever and ever. We are therefore in the presence of the Father in this life and always, for Christ Himself is the Resurrection and the Life.

Discussion: What does it mean that Christ has prepared a place for us in the Father’s house?

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The Truth, Way, and Life—John 14:4–7

Christ challenges His disciples with the statement, “And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.” Through the teachings of their Master, the disciples should have answered in the positive. How easy the truths of Scripture escape us, yet Christ is longsuffering and would have us not understand. So the Spirit continues to guide us in our study and obedience of the Word of God. Thomas asked of Christ, “Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Thomas did not understand and asked an honest question. Thomas’ words reveal that we need something more than our senses to understand the words of our Lord. Thomas states that he does not know, cannot perceive with his sense or discover where Jesus is going. The question “how can we,” asks, how are we able, have the “dunamai,” the power or capability to know the way. Christ presents Himself as the only way: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” We are to the both know the way and the destination.

It is Christ alone who is the ‘I AM’—the very presence of God, who reveals the true path of conduct, the reality of all things as the Truth, and the Logos or Word of life for the living soul. There is no other way than the one who was named ‘Yahshua,’ for he alone came to save his people from their sins. He alone can declare, “I am that Way, and that Truth, and that Life.  No man comes unto the Father, but by me.” Herein lies our true happiness. Without Christ there is no hope, we go astray. Without Christ there is no faith, we feed ourselves on the philosophies of the world rather than the truth. Without Christ there is no love, our lives are like a desert rather than a life flowing with living water.

To know Christ the Son is to know our Father in heaven: “If ye had known me, ye should have known the Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.” It is the Father who has sent the Son: “For God so Loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Again Christ testifies, “If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God, neither came I of myself, but he sent me” (John 8:42).

Discussion: What does it mean for Christ to be the way, truth, and life?

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True Faith—John 14:8–14

Philip asks of Christ, “Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.” Christ answers, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” Christ tests the faith of His disciples to make that faith stronger: “Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.” The great ‘I AM’ identifies him as a member of the Triune Godhead. The power and grace of the Father is also in the Son. The very core of our soul’s hope is found in the truth that Christ is the second Person of the Godhead. If full trust and confidence is to be found in God the Father and in God the Holy Spirit, it surely can be found in Christ Jesus, the Incarnate Son. When we put our faith, our trust in Christ, we are putting full confidence in the one and only true and living God.

Christ continues: “Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works that these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” Calvin wrote that “Christ did not ascend to heaven in a private capacity, to dwell there alone, but rather that it might be the common inheritance of all the godly, and that in this way the Head might be united to his members.”

Therefore, because the Son ascended to the Father, having finished the work of redemption on our behalf, our faith is in Him and the Father: “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” Our faith is shown in our fellowship with our Father in heaven and in the Son our Savior. Our faith produces prayers that are in the will of the Father, that whatever we ask will glorify our Father in heaven. Christ ought to be seen in our prayers, in every asking that we bring to our heavenly Father.

God the Father is to be honored and worshiped with much thanksgiving because “according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3–5).

Our faith should be seen in our walk with Christ, that we walk worthily of Him, pleasing him alone in our words and deeds, “being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light” (Col. 1:10–s12).

Discussion: How is our faith in the Father and Son shown in our daily lives?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2012 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.

The Bread of Life

May 6, 2012

Lesson: John 6:22—35

Key Verse: John 6:35

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Introduction

“I AM” says the Son of God, the Christ who came as the only mediator between the God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and man. When sin entered into the world (rebellion of man against his creator), man defeated himself, for he no longer could have fellowship with God. However, God had provided a mediator who alone is able to unite him to his creator: Christ Jesus. “For ever since Christ was manifested in the flesh he is called the Son of God, not only because begotten of the Father before all worlds he was the Eternal Word, but because he undertook the person and office of the Mediator that he might unite us to God” (John Calvin, Institutes). Calvin further teaches that “It is certain that after the fall of our first parent, no knowledge of God without a Mediator was effectual to salvation. Christ speaks not of his own age merely, but embraces all ages, when he says ‘This is life eternal that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent’ (John 17:3).”

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The Work of God—John 6:22–29

The people who wanted to hear Jesus stood on the shore and “saw that there was none other boat there, save that one where into his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples unto the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone.” It seems that on the day before they did not see Jesus walk upon the water as it was a miracle for his disciples, revealing that He was truly the Messiah sent of God: “They they receive him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went” (6:21). “(Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks).” Calvin writes that when “John again mentions that Christ gave thanks, it is not a superfluous repetition; for he means that Christ obtained by prayer that those few loaves were sufficient for feeding so many people; and as we are cold and indolent in prayer, he presses upon us the same thing a second time.” We as a people of Christ ought to remember that we follow Him with a spirit of prayer and thanksgiving, rather than what we may get out of it.

The people, when they saw that Jesus was not at the place where they fed them, nor his disciples, “they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.” When they had found Jesus on the other side of the sea, “they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? Jesus answered them, “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.” The ‘miracle’ would reveal the true character of Christ, but their eyes and hearts were clouded with the darkness of sin, thinking about themselves rather than of the person before them, who alone could deliver them from that darkness and give them hope of forgiveness and life eternal.

Men fall in love with many gods, seeking hope and deliverance from gods of their own making. Transgression and rebellion have placed man in a darkness of ‘hopelessness.’ Our Lord’s Word gives us this picture whereby a man cuts wood for a fire, part of which he warms himself, another to roast his meat; “and the residue thereof he makes a god, even his graven image: he falls down unto it, and worships it, and prays unto it, and says, Deliver me; for thou art my god” (Isa. 44:17). The beloved apostle sets our eyes upon Christ, who loves us and whom we love, and in Him we love one another: “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves him who begot also loves him who is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments” (1 John 5:1–3).

It is true that by grace we are saved through faith, without works, lest we should boast. Yet let us also remember that our lives in Christ are set apart to do those things which will glorify our Father in heaven. Thus Jesus commends us to “Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.” Whether it be the meat of the table or, especially, the meat of the Word of God, we look to Christ for our nourishment; for it Christ who “received from God the Father honor and glory when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (2 Peter 1:17). Jesus was asked, “What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?” His answer was, “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” Our faith is not without works. It is in Christ that we labor, our faith producing the fruit of the Spirit that will glorify God. Calvin wrote that “Not that he forbids his followers to labor that they may procure daily food; but he shows that the heavenly life ought to be preferred to this earthly life, because the godly have no other reason for living here than that, being sojourners in the world, they may travel rapidly towards their heavenly country.”

Discussion: What does it mean to do the work of God?

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The Bread of God—John 6:30–35

The people said to Jesus, “What sign showest thou them, that we may see, and believe thee? What dost thou work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” Christ answered, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven, but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.” The people cried out, “Lord, evermore give us this bread.” Jesus’ words are of eternal life: “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” To believe is not just to say the word ‘believe,’ but that faith is given and nurtured by the Spirit and Word of God. In other words, it is the Christian being discipled in the Word that proves his faith to be real. Calvin gives us this understanding: “Thus, the analogy which is traced between the body and the soul, enables us to perceive more clearly the grace of Christ. For when we learn that Christ is the bread by which our souls must be fed, this penetrates more deeply into our hearts than if Christ simply said that he is our life.”

“I AM” says Jesus; “the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (John 6:51). Christ ransomed our souls and delivered us from darkness to His marvelous light: for “it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper at his hand. He shall see the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities” (Isa. 53:10–11). What a glorious picture of Christ, who paid the penalty for our transgressions: “freely by his grace the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God” (Rom. 3:23–25).

Discussion: What does it mean that Christ is the bread of life?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2012 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.

Christians Know the Voice of Christ

May 13, 2012

Lesson: John 10:1–18

Key Verse: John 10:4

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Introduction

The beloved apostle recorded in his gospel: “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:31). John wrote of those things which are applicable to the person and work of Jesus Christ. By the Word of God we hear the words of our Lord, saying, “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.” The sheep of his pasture have life because he was willing to give his life for them. We are not speaking of just a physical life but of that life which is eternal, the very soul which is created after the image of the Triune God in righteousness, truth, and justice: “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Gen. 2:7). The Good Shepherd was there at creation time: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men” (John 1:1–3).

Those who are in darkness are unable to understand this light. The “Light” includes salvation from sin, and the ability to act righteously or morally. Only those who are in Christ know that their sins have been forgiven, and that they are able to live, by the Spirit, as obedient children of God. Darkness is that revealed nature of man as a transgressor of the moral law of God. Man chooses to serve the lord of darkness rather than live in the righteousness of his Creator: “And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” (John 1:5). To comprehend means to seize or lay hold on to something; thus the one who lives in darkness is the one who purposefully refuses to admit the light of righteousness to enter into their immoral world view. Thus the Savior comes to those in darkness to give light to his sheep. He is the one who has dragged us out of darkness into his marvelous light.

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I Am the Door—John 10:1–10

The most applauded picture of our Savior is that of the Good Shepherd who holds us as lambs to his bosom. Our emotion is moved to see such a picture of Jesus. It is a non-threatening picture. We rejoice in such a Savior who holds us in the cleft of his arm with the promise that he will never let us go. However, this picture is not completely understood unless we know how we came to be held by our Savior.

Jesus speaks of this entrance into his sheepfold: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.” Those who rationalize their behavior as if God will understand their best efforts are those who seek to steal their way into heaven. Those who believe that we are all going to the same place, but by different routes, desire to steal their way to God. However, “he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.” In other words, it is the Good Shepherd who enters first in that heavenly fellowship with the Father, making himself the door for our entrance. He is the one who provides the peace between the transgressor and the Father by the shedding of his blood, ransoming our souls by paying the price for our sin and guilt. He is the one who leads us beside the still waters, through the valley of death, to the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Our Lord provides us with a true understanding of just what is going on in this world. Our Savior was sent into this world to save His people, to move them out of hopelessness to hope, out of darkness into His marvelous light. There is the warning that there is still the darkness which desires to act like a thief and a robber. There are those who would be like a thief, trying to jimmy a window for an entrance into the kingdom of God. There is only one door, and the only one who can enter by that door is the shepherd of the sheep; his sheep graciously rest in him.

The picture given here is the household of God, which accommodates the children of God, or the fold of God, which contains his sheep. The porter, or keeper of the door, will only let in the shepherd of the sheep. How do we know the true shepherd from all others? Jesus said, “the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.” This shepherd leads his sheep by going before them, the sheep following him because “they know his voice.” They will not follow a stranger because they do not recognize his voice.

God’s Word tells us: “For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession. The seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall dwell therein” (Ps. 69:35–36). We, as the sheep of the Good Shepherd’s fold, are able to recognize his voice. We love him who first loved us. All other voices of this world are foreign to us. If we listen to, obey the voices of this world, and then we will follow them and be led astray. The Christian only has one Master. We follow him because we know his voice. And we know that what he says is true.

Our Savior is the door of the sheep, and all other so-called saviors are seeking to rob us of our inheritance. Jesus says that he alone is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). There is no other person under heaven whereby we can be saved. Eternal and abundant life, repentance, faith, and forgiveness of sin come from the Father through the Son. It is therefore true that Christ Jesus is the door, “by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture …I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

Question: How do we know the true Savior from the robbers and thieves?

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I Am the Shepherd—John 10:11–18

Christ is the Shepherd and the door of the sheep. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” The false shepherd allows the sheep to be devoured by whatever lies the world would tell. The enemies of Christ would like to see the wolves of this world devour God’s children. The traps of evolution and immorality (from gambling to abortion to immoral marriages) are carefully laid traps by the enemy.

The Savior loves the children of God the Father. Jesus told his disciples, “In my Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go and prepare a place for you” (John 14:3). Our Savior has prepared a place for us in His Father’s household. This place, whereby we are called children of God, is prepared by the shedding of the blood of the Incarnate Son of God. There is something very precious about the flock of the Good Shepherd. Paul exhorts the elders of the church, as those appointed as overseers by the Holy Spirit, “to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). Our Savior is loved by the Father for He has laid down his life for the sheep. He has the authority to take his life up again to show his victory over sin and death.

We belong to Christ. We are literally the sheep of his pasture. We are told by our Lord that he is the shepherd who knows his sheep and is “known of mine,” This knowledge between the Savior and those for whom he died is illustrated in his words, “As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.” The Christian comes to know the Savior personally, intellectually, and experientially. Christ calls us his friends. The Holy Spirit teaches us about our Savior through his written Word. He witnesses to our spirit that we might call God our Father.

Question: What has our Savior prepared for us in the shedding of his blood?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2012 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.

Christ Testifies to the Truth

April 1, 2012

Lesson: John 18:28–37

Key Verse: John 18:37

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Introduction

Truth is a hindrance to those who believe that they alone have the answers to how we ought to live. They cry when the Christian teaches that it is the God of Scripture who alone knows and reveals what is true. It is not that many people believe the lie, but that they have created lies that others should not believe as truth. Truth is but a dream that dissolves before them; for they desire to legislate their own immorality as morality, which, by their own wills that what they do and think proves their unrighteousness to be the right way of life. They therefore deny the truth of the Creator by claiming evolution as true and must be the only true understanding of the world to be taught; that there is no life in the womb where they go to destroy life. They cleave to their darkness, dispensing their lies, that others may follow their road to destruction.

Jesus encourages us to continue in his Word as disciples who sit at his feet, saying, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31–32). The truth that Christ teaches is that which is of heaven, sincere and without error. When Paul encourages the saints at Ephesus to live righteously, he reminds them that there are those who, “being alienated from the life of God,” having “given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness”; encouraging them in their new relationship with God, saying, “But ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: …and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Eph. 4:17–25).

Truth sets us free to be what God intended us to be before the fall. We are to live righteously in his sight. We are to grow in the truth as He has revealed in his Scriptures, of which the Holy Spirit is our teacher. We, therefore, become witnesses to this truth in our thoughts and deeds. The Psalmist testifies, “Good and upright is the Lord; therefore will he teach sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in judgment; and the meek will he teach his way. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies” (Ps. 25:8–10). In this way, we become witnesses to the truth that comes from God, saying, “I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation; I have not concealed thy loving-kindness and thy truth from the great congregation” (Ps. 40:10).

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The Accusation—John 18:28–32

Early in the morning the priests bring Jesus to the judgment hall. “They themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the Passover.” They had set the scene for the crucifixion of Jesus. Their lies followed them along with their arrogance that they now had Jesus where they wanted them. On the one hand, they would not defile themselves by entering the judgment hall to keep them clean for the Passover, while they harbored hatred in their hearts for the Christ. Their actions belied the pollution their hearts. There was no law but theirs that would stop them from entering the judgment hall. This is the scene into which they brought their false accusations to Pilate.

Pilate went out to them, asking, “What accusation bring ye against this man?” They answered, “If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.” Pilate was not to question their integrity in the matter. They had judged Jesus, but they did not have the authority to sentence him. They expected Pilate to take their word that Jesus was an evildoer. Calvin writes, “Such is the manner in which wicked men, whom God has raised to a high degree of honor, blinded as it were by their own greatness, allow themselves to do whatever they choose. Such, too, is the intoxicating nature of pride. They wish that Christ should be reckoned a malefactor, and for no other reason but because they accuse him.”

Pilate desires to get rid of them, saying, “Take him, and judge him according to your law.” The Jews replied, “It is not lawful for us to put any man to death.” Death was the desire of their hearts. They acted according to their own evil nature. However, the will of God was revealed in their words, “That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.” Jesus was given the name Joshua (Jehovah is salvation) that he may save his people from their sins. The Father had so loved the world that he sent his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him, should not perish but have everlasting life. It is Christ Jesus who went to the cross to prepare a place for us. He redeems our souls through his own precious blood. The manner of his death and sacrifice was revealed to his disciples before this encounter with Pilate. On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus spoke to the twelve, saying, “Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him; and the third day he shall rise again” (Matt. 20:17–19).

Discussion: What was the spirit of those who brought accusations against Jesus?

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The Truth—John 18:33–37

Pilate returns to the judgment room and calls Jesus, saying to him, “Art thou King of the Jews?” Jesus answers, “Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?” Pilate answers, “Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me; what hast thou done?” Pilate removes himself from the riotous crowd in order to speak to Jesus in private. His aim seems to be to acquit Jesus of the accusations of the priests and people, the chief accusation being that Jesus is declaring himself to be king of their nation. The Lord continues to set his face toward that reason for which he came, that his people may be saved from their sins. Jesus goes to the cross on his own volition, desiring to fulfill the will of the Triune God.

Jesus does answer Pilate, not as a defense to be acquitted of the false accusations, but as a witness to the truth of his coming. For the chief priests had aroused the people against Jesus, and there would be no turning back for those whose hearts are filled with lies and hatred. They would hear Pilate’s voice saying, “I find in him no fault at all.” Their hearts would cry out for the freedom of Barabbas the robber.

Jesus speaks to Pilate, saying, “My kingdom is not of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is my kingdom not from hence. …Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I unto the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” There is a false assumption that Jesus’ kingdom really has no affect on the world around us, as if he is not the king of all nations on earth. They say his kingdom is spiritual and therefore we wait for his coming. Christ has come! He is the King of kings and Lord of lords today. His kingdom is spiritual in the sense that it does not receive its authority from the world. His kingdom is not of this world, but of God. All authority has been given him by the Father. The nature of his kingdom on earth is not of the world, with its lies and wars, but of truth. His kingdom enters the darkness of this world to dispel its lies that many may be set free. His kingdom, his church on earth, is to be a witness to the truth which he himself has revealed through his Word.

Those who belong to Christ because of his redemptive work on the cross have ears to hear and eyes to see. They are being enabled daily, through his Word, by the Spirit, to discern truth from error. Thus we testify to the witness of Christ when we declare the truth of sin and grace as he has so revealed in the Scriptures. Calvin writes “that it is natural for Christ to speak the truth; and, next, that he was sent for this purpose by the Father; and, consequently, that this is his peculiar office. There is no danger, therefore, that we shall be deceived by trusting him, since it is impossible that he who has been commissioned by God, and whose natural disposition leads him to maintain the truth, shall teach any thing that is not true.”

Therefore, we need to be wary of what we preach and teach, in and out of the church body. To argue as if we are interpreters of God’s truth, rather than protectors of his truth, is bringing error into the body and falsehood to our witness. Our faithfulness to the truth that is of Christ is natural to our nature. Let us thus continue to grow in that grace which our Father has so freely given us in Christ.

Discussion: How is Christ the King of kings today?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2012 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.

A Spring of Water

April 22, 2012

Lesson: John 4:7–15

Key Verse: John 4:14

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Introduction

There is a “well of water springing up into everlasting life.” It is a well of cleansing grace: “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money, come ye” (Isa. 55:1). It is that which gives life to your soul: “Incline your ear, and come unto me; hear, and your soul shall live” (Isa. 55:3). Christ Jesus confirms the efficacy of Holy Scripture as He speaks of the rivers of living water: “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37–38). The inspired Word of God defines this living water as that of the Spirit of God: “this spake he of the Spirit which they that believe on him should receive” (7:39).

Isaiah spoke of that new life that the Messiah would bring. Acknowledging that we are guilty of transgression of the Law of God, deserving the punishment of our God, we hear the redemptive voice of the Lord, saying, “Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily; and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward” (Is. 58:8). What is revealed to Isaiah is the Messiah, He who would be spoken of as the Light that shines in darkness. For “In him was life; and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4–5). Health, or restoration, springs forth for those who have been justified by faith in Christ. The “righteousness” that belongs to God’s people portrays the act of the Lord, which has brought about restoration and reconciliation. We understand that to be justified by faith alone is to have an imputed righteousness that reveals the glory of our Savior. Calvin wrote that “ ‘All shall acknowledge thee to be holy and righteous, though formerly thou wast guilty and convicted. So shalt thou also be adorned with the glory of the Lord, though formerly thou wast loaded with reproaches.’ For we are reproached and disgraced, while we suffer the punishment of our sins.”

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A Glorious Gift—John 4:7–10

Jesus came to Jacob’s well, near a city of Samaria. Jesus was thirsty as any true human, but would satisfy the thirst of a soul, which only God could supply. While at the well, a woman of Samaria comes to draw water. Jesus asks of her, “Give me to drink.” She knew that it was said that the “Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.” Calvin explains the situation in words that admonish us to be careful in our relationship with others that “This disease of human nature is so general, that every person wishes that his vices should please others. If any man disapproves of us, or any thing that we do or say, we are immediately offended without any good reason. Let any man examine himself, and he will find this seed of pride in his mind, until it has been eradicated by the Spirit of God.”

The Samaritan woman questions, therefore, why a Jew would ask her help. Jesus’ answer reveals the grace of the Lord, which would break whatever boundary man would place between each other, saying, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” Here is that word ‘living’ again. By this word we understand that Christ is speaking about the ‘breath of life,’ of the soul which is alive. The same word is used of the resurrected Christ; “And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive” (Luke 24:23). Paul, knowing that Christ was raised from the dead, that “he died unto sins once; but that he liveth, liveth unto God”; directs our thoughts that we may “reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:10–11).

If we are offended by those who believe differently, or those who turn away from the witness of the Gospel, then we hinder our testimony to the grace of God in Christ Jesus. Christ came to save those who sinned against Him, transgressing the law of God. Out of every nation, tribe, and tongue, Christ is drawing His people, for whom He shed His blood, to the Father. The message is the same today: “If you knew the gift of God, you would ask Him to give you a drink, and He would have given you living water!” We testify to the living water, the life-giving water, the Holy Spirit, which flows freely from a living fountain. The risen Lord testifies: “I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely” (Rev. 21:6).

Discussion: What does it mean to receive the ‘living water’?

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Everlasting Life—John 4:11–15

The Samaritan woman shows her confusion when she speaks to Jesus, saying, “Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; from whence then hast thou that living water?” She uses the term, ‘sir,’ which indicates an understanding of authority. Can this man really provide what he has promised? Are you, says the woman, “greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well?” Jesus answers, not the implications of her questions, but the need of her soul: “Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”

The Holy Spirit works in the heart of this woman. Christ speaks, not teasing her with words that are not efficacious, but with words that will open the soul to the truth of redeeming love. We look at the outward appearance, many times hoping to see some kind of fruit that will help us see that the one to whom we are witnessing is making a valid confession of sin, repentance, and faith. However, we must also pray that we might see, with hearts of faith, that which the Holy Spirit is doing in the hearts of those whose ears have been opened to the Word of Christ. We must see from a heart that it knows the redeeming love of Christ and the work of the Spirit welling up in our souls, “springing up into everlasting life.”

Calvin teaches us: “The grace of Christ, therefore, does not flow to us for a short time, but overflows into a blessed immortality; for it does not cease to flow until the incorruptible life that it commences be brought to perfection.” The work of the Spirit has given new birth to this woman. She is now able to cry out, “Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.” A new beginning of a new understanding of the grace of God in Christ Jesus! The breath of life has entered her soul. Her soul is restored to fellowship with her Father in heaven. By grace she has been saved, through faith, not by the water that man draws from a well, but by faith in Christ alone.

Discussion: What does it mean to receive eternal life from Christ?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2012 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.

They Saw the Lord

April 8, 2012

Lesson: John 20:1–10, 19–20

Key Verse: John 20:20

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Introduction (John 20:19–20)

It was the first day of the week, the day of our Lord’s resurrection from the tomb. The doors were shut, as the disciples assembled in fear of the Jews. Suddenly Jesus stood in their midst, saying, “Peace be unto you.” The voice of the Lord fills our hearts with peace and not fear. The faith of Christ’s disciples was moved by the Spirit to see their Lord, risen and alive, as He showed them His hands and side. It is recorded that they were “glad, when they saw the Lord.” Whether we are with the fellowship of believers, or in our private devotions in His Word, we know, by the Spirit who witnesses to our spirit, that Christ is near. His words are pleasing to our ears when we hear Him speaking, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

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They Ran Together—John 20:1–5

It is recorded, in the 27^th chapter of Matthew’s gospel, that the body of Jesus was laid in a new tomb owned by “a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph.” The chief priests and Pharisees heard Jesus say when he was alive, “After three days I will rise again.”  They asked Pilate to make sure that the disciples could not steal the body and claim that he had risen. Pilate told them to make it as sure as they could, and they “made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.”

It was the first day of the week. While it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the sepulcher, and saw that the stone was taken away from the entrance. This is the Mary who had been healed by Jesus:

“And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him. And a certain woman, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils” (Luke 8:1–2).

Matthew Henry wrote that “Mary Magdalene, coming to the sepulchre, finds the stone taken away. This evangelist does not mention the other women that went with Mary Magdalene, but here only, because she was the most active and forward in this visit to the sepulchre, and in her appeared the most affection; and it was an affection kindled by a good cause, in consideration of the great things Christ had done for her. Much was forgiven her, therefore she loved much. She had shown her affection to him while he lived, attended his doctrine, ministered to him of her substance.”

Mary Magdalene, seeing that the stone was removed, runs and comes to “Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulcher, and we know not where they have laid him.” Peter and John came to the tomb and, seeing the stone removed, “they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulcher.” They would see something greater than the stone removed: “And he stooping down and looking in saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.”

The seed of faith is being nourished in the life of the apostles and friends of Christ. It began with wonderment and confusion, as the Spirit led them to see and remember that Christ had kept His promise that He would rise again. Calvin lifts our faith in these words: “the name of faith, because it was only by the doctrine of the Gospel that it was produced, and it had no tendency but towards Christ. From this seed there at length sprang a true and sincere faith, which, leaving the sepulcher, ascended to the heavenly glory of Christ.”

Let us not wonder if Christ is risen; for there is no question that He is our risen Lord: “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Cor. 15:20–22).

Discussion: What were the reactions of those who saw the stone was removed from the tomb?

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He is Risen—John 20:6–10

Simon Peter follows John “and went into the sepulcher, and sees the linen clothes lie, and the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.” The Christ, who took upon himself our transgressions and the punishment we deserved, stood before God the Father on our behalf, during those dark hours upon the cross of Calvary. When the ransom was complete, God the Son cried, “It is finished.” Thus He went to the Divine Godhead: “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God” (Heb. 10:12). Early on that first day of the week, our Savior claimed His body as the God-man, setting apart the garments of death, that in His eternal providence revealed His resurrection glory; as He had said, “I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (John 11:25–26).

The Gospel records: “Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulcher, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the Scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away unto their own home.” As we read and study the Word of God, may our hearts be open to that Gospel truth that Christ Jesus did rise from the dead. For in His resurrection is the assurance that not only have our sins been forgiven, but an inheritance was guaranteed, by grace, kept for us in and by the Divine Godhead.

Scripture teaches us of God’s marvelous grace: “But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:4–7). This hope is one of faith and rejoicing: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3–5). Note that, in these verses, the love of God the Father, the glory of our salvation in Christ, the Holy Spirit regenerating our souls, the new birth, and our eternal life are a blessed inheritance that no one can take away from us.

Discussion: What blessings are revealed in the truth of the resurrection of Christ; and to whose glory?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2012 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.

My Father’s House

April 15, 2012

Lesson: John 2:13–22

Key Verse: John 2:16

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Introduction

Christ Jesus spent His early years being faithful to His chosen human family: “And the angel said unto her, ‘Fear not Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS’ ” (Luke 1:30–31); His name being Joshua (Yahshua, for He shall save His people from their sins). Christ would be faithful those thirty years, attending the Passovers in Jerusalem; revealing His continued faithfulness to His Father in heaven who sent Him. Christ understood His union with the Father, recorded when He was twelve, speaking to His parents who, seeking Him for three days and finding Him in the temple, He said, “Why did you seek me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49). To those at a city in Samaria, Christ referred to His union with the Father: “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work” (John 4:34). Christ revealed His authority in a prayer to the Father that confirmed His work to be the salvation of many: “Father, the hour is come, glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: as thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:1–3).

At the wedding feast in Cana of Galilee, where Christ made the water into wine, it was recorded “This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him” (John 2:11). From Cana, Christ “went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples; and they continued there not many days” (2:12). From there Christ went to Jerusalem: “He did not stay long at Capernaum, because the Passover was at hand, and he must attend it at Jerusalem; for every thing is beautiful in its season” (M. Henry).

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The Lord’s Temple—John 2:13–16

The Jewish Passover “was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.” Christ entered the temple and saw a scene that was pitiable to one who loved His people: for sitting there on the entrance were those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and changes of money.” When the church is seen as a building, or worse, as an organization which is controlled by the wisdom of man, the money makers become the norm. It is then forgotten that it is a congregation of people of whom Christ alone is King and Head. Christ had thought about the scene before Him: “And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changer’s money, and overthrew the tables; and said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house a house of merchandise.”

The temple is not a cold structure, but a house not made with the hands of man. David sang: “Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” (Psa. 29:1–2); and then, seeing the wonder of God over His Creation, David continues: “The voice of the Lord makes the deer to calve, and discovers the forests: and in his temple does every one speak of his glory” (9). The Apostle Paul writes to the congregation at Corinth, understanding the temple to be God’s redeemed people; and a very precious people at that: “Know ye not the ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are” (1 Cor. 3:16–17); “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (2 Cor. 6:16).

Paul teaches Timothy about those who are “supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim. 6:5–6). He further reminds us that “the love of money is the root of all evil; which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness” (6:10–11). Where is our heart, the heart of the congregation? Look to Christ by faith, with love towards God and one another, with the strength of meekness, which teaches us that we must rest all upon Him who truly loves us.

Discussion: Why was Christ disturbed at what He saw as He entered the temple?

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The Zeal of God—John 2:17–22

The gospel of Mark reveals more of Christ’s words concerning the temple: “Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? But ye have made it a den of thieves” (Mk. 11:17). Not only were they selling their stuff at the temple, they sought to gain more by corrupt means. After Jesus had spoken and cast out the money changers, the “disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up” (referring to Psalm 69:9). The word ‘zeal’ in the Old and New Testaments refers to the term ‘jealousy.’ In other words, when someone thinks of something with a jealous heart, he sees it as something precious, something to be protected. M. Henry wrote that “Jesus Christ was zealously affected to the house of God, his church: he loved it, and was always jealous for its honour and welfare. This zeal did even eat him up; it made him humble himself, and spend himself, and expose himself.” Would that our hearts be truly broken when the name of our Lord is blasphemed, His church persecuted, when in nations we see brothers and sisters in Christ killed for their stand in His Gospel.

The Jews who were present at the temple raised this question to Jesus: “What sign showest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?” Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple; and in three days I will raise it up.” From the darkness of their hearts, the Jews answered, “Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?” However, Jesus spoke of His resurrection, “of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the Scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.” An illustration of such a faith in the Word of God is seen when the resurrected Lord drew near to two of His disciples on the road to Emmaus. They did not recognize Jesus but heard his teaching as “he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27). After the risen Lord had sat with them and broke bread and blessed it, he vanished from their sight. Their eyes were then opened, and they “said to another, Did not our heart burn within us while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures?” (32). We must go to Scripture with hearts burning to hear the Word of our Savior; for the Spirit will teach us and guide us into all things of Christ our Lord. The inspired Word of God is given “to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:15).

Discussion: What does it mean to have a zeal for the things of our majestic Lord?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2012 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.

I Am the Light

April 29, 2012

Lesson: John 9:1–12, John 3:1–8

Key Verse: John 9:5

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Introduction

The majestic triune God reveals Himself in Christ the Son who said, “I am the Light.” Christ the Son, in whom the glory of the godhead dwells, pierces the darkness of wickedness; for “In him was life; and the life was the light of men;” however, “the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not? (John 1:4–5). Quoting Christ in Matthew 13:13: “they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand;” John Calvin wrote: “For since man lost the favor of God, his mind is so completely overwhelmed by the thralldom of ignorance, that any portion of light which remains in it is quenched and useless. This is daily proved by experience; for all who are not regenerated by the Spirit of God possess some reason, and this is an undeniable proof that man was made not only to breathe, but to have understanding.” When the Holy Spirit regenerates the soul for whom Christ died, He not only gives us the gift of faith whereby we accept Christ as our Savior and Lord, but He gives us an understanding of how and why we have received so great a salvation. Therefore, enabled by the Spirit, we study His Word and grow in our faith and understanding; from which we produce or bear the fruit of the Spirit in our daily lives.

Therefore we rejoice with much thanksgiving as we come to God with listening ears, who has “spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb. 1:2–3).

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The Open Eyes—John 9:1–12

Jesus and his disciples passed by “a man which was blind from his birth.” The disciples asked their Master, “who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?” It is not an easy thing to understand both the nature of sin and sorrow that man possesses because of that nature. It is true that all tragedy comes about because of the sin of man and God’s judgment or curse upon this world of wickedness. However, why is it so easy for us to judge another in their quagmire, while we look at our sins with a wink and a smile? Calvin reminds us that “if we wish to be candid judges in this matter, let us learn to be quick in discerning our own evils rather than those of others.”

Christ reveals His glory in an act which was previously planned by the counsel of the Almighty God. Jesus answered His disciples, saying, “Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents; but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” We need to understand the providential work of the Lord, that He is working ALL things together for our good and His glory. Not just this one work, but by His hand and purpose, the works of God are revealed; for this miracle and that which would follow, including His work on the cross, to show forth His glory and that of the godhead. Our prayers should include the desire that we be made instruments of His glory, as was the man born blind from birth.

Christ’s work was of the Father who sent Him, that work which no man on earth could do. As Christ is in the world, He alone is “the light of the world.” There is nothing unclear about the gospel of Jesus Christ to the open heart of the believer. Christ carefully reveals His glory before the world as in the healing of the blind man. He spits upon the ground to make clay to anoint his eyes. He sends the man to the pool of Siloam, commanding him to wash his eyes. He did so, and came back with eyes to see. The neighbours were astonished to see him, who once sat and begged, now walking without someone to guide him. The asked him, “How were thine eyes opened?” He told them about the man who anointed his eyes with clay, and told him to wash in the pool, “I went and washed, and I received my sight!” However, he could not tell them who this man was.

The man would come to know that it was Jesus who healed him. The Pharisees had cast him out for his testimony. But Christ would not. He revealed Himself to the man as the Messiah, the Son of God. And his response was, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped him. Then Christ revealed His glory in these words, “For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and they which see might be made blind” (John 9:39). We, therefore, preach Christ and not ourselves, “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 4:5–6).

Discussion: What have we learned about Christ in His healing of the man who was blind?

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Being Born Again—John 3:1–8

We once belong to those who had eyes to see but were blind to see Christ; we had ears to hear but refused to hear His Word. The wonderful miracle of the blind man made to see draws us to Christ who made us see who could not see, to understand what our darkness could not comprehend. We also begin to understand the true love of God the Father and the comfort of the work of the Holy Spirit; so great is our salvation.

Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, sought out Jesus and asked Him: “Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.” Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Here begins the glorious revelation, a majestic miracle wrought by the hand of God for the salvation of His people: the sending of His Son to take our place before the judgment seat and ransom our souls. Those who believe they can rise above Christ are brought to their knees at His Word. Nicodemus asked, “How can a man be born when he is old?” Men rather have an answer that they themselves can carry out, rather than an answer which is totally dependent upon God. Therefore, we say, if we cannot work it out, then God cannot help.

Christ’s answer to Nicodemus sets the truth of redemptive grace solely upon God, saying, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” The new-birth of our very nature and soul, is dependent upon the work of the Holy Spirit. Water speaks of our need of cleansing. The Spirit is the Person who does the cleansing. It is the Holy Spirit who cleanses “us anew, and who, by spreading his energy over us, imparts to us the vigour of the heavenly life, though by nature we are utterly dry” (Calvin). The Spirit purifies us, applying to us the work of Christ’s sacrificial love in the shedding of His blood.

Christ speaks of that which is born of the flesh and that which is born of the Spirit. We acknowledge that we have been born of the flesh, having also received our soul at this birth. That being of the flesh we are afflicted with sin and condemned. Therefore, it should not be difficult for us, as born-again children of God, to know that we have received a new spiritual nature by the Spirit; for as the wind blows and we do know its origin, “so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Calvin wrote that “Such is the power and efficacy of the Holy Spirit in the renewed man.”

Discussion: Why must a man be born anew of the Holy Spirit?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2012 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.

The Glory of the Lord Jesus

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March 18, 2012

Lesson: John 2:1–12

Key Verse: John 2:11

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Introduction

Today’s lesson will be taught as a sequence of events; for we have in the second chapter of John a story of our Lord’s first miracle, the changing of water into wine. It is more than just a story; it is a narrative of historical fact, written for us by the Spirit of God: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16).

The story takes place in a small town by the name of Cana, “place of reeds.” Cana was situated near the city of Nazareth, from where Mary and Jesus came to a wedding. Cana was where Jesus promised to heal a nobleman’s son (John 4:46). It was also the home of Nathanael (John 21:2). A divine act of God provides for us a glorious revelation of heaven. Scripture gives us the reason for such a miracle to take place at this time of a marriage feast. This miracle and those that would follow are provided to manifest the glory of God in the Son. The miracles are to make known, to reveal a great mystery of God, to show His divine glory. Christ was the ‘Word,’ who spoke of the divine Godhead, was “made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). To see our Lord’s glory is to recognize Him as He truly is, the God-Man in whom the fullness of the Godhead dwells. It is to know Him as He is revealed in God’s written word: our Prophet, Priest, and King. It is to identify Him as the only Savior. The glory of the Lord is who He really is: His character, His works, etc. The root meaning of the word, glory (doxa) is recognition. We glorify our Lord Jesus Christ when His image is recognized in us and in our deeds. Our transgression is recognized in coming short of the glory of God, our salvation recognized in the glory of God: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins” (Rom. 3:23–25).

Discussion: What is the meaning of the word, ‘glory’?

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The Narrative

John the Baptist introduced his disciples to Jesus as “the Lamb of God” (John 1:36). After hearing these words, Andrew testified of Jesus to his brother Simon Peter, saying, “We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, the Christ” (1:41). The following day Jesus gathers Philip into His fold. Philip would seek out Nathanael, saying, “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (1:43–45). These are those who received an invitation to a wedding. Philip, Andrew, and Peter were of Bethsaida, and Nathanael of Cana. Mary, the mother of Jesus, came from Nazareth. Family and friends had been invited to this wedding. It was a time of joy and celebration.

Mary is probably in her late forties. She is acquainted with the family, most likely a relative, to the extent that she can speak openly to the servants that they might do her bidding. From Nazareth and Cana, and other nearby places, they gather to celebrate the wedding. Food and wine are enjoyed as they give words and gifts of blessing to the couple. As time passes, they run short of the wine.

We begin now to see the providential work of God. The Savior about whom the Father had recently said, “This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,” begins His redemptive ministry. One of the majestic acts of our Lord would reveal that He is truly the Messiah, the one sent by the Father to be the Savior of His people. Calvin so observes, “I have no doubt that all this was regulated by the Providence of God, that there might be room for the miracle.”

Mary is moved by the need of wine for the guests to go to her son. As Scripture reads, “Now when the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said unto him, They have no wine.” Here is a mother who, yes, without full understanding, watched her son grow. She had called him to meals by the name the Angel of the Lord told her and Joseph to give him: “Joshua” (Jehovah is salvation—for He shall save His people from their sins). She had heard the story of the shepherds and wise men; she had watched Joshua grow, waxing “strong in spirit, filled with wisdom.” For “the grace of God was upon him” (Luke 2:40). Mary had heard Jesus’ voice when he was twelve, saying, “I must be about my Father’s business.” She kept all these sayings in her heart. She had seen the birth of a son, remembering the words of her cousin Elizabeth, “Blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord” (Luke 1:45). The Spirit of God would turn Mary to her Son, as it would be natural to her, saying, “They have no wine.”

Jesus answers Mary, saying, “Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come.” It is a gentle rebuke, reminding Mary of those things she hid in her heart. She quietly acquiesces to His words of a rebuke. Christ spoke such to Mary that what would come to pass would be to the glory of God, and, therefore, in His time. We must not venerate any person or thing above our Savior and Lord. However, Mary did “not knowingly and willingly offend; but Christ only meets the danger, that no improper use may be made of what his mother had said, as if it were in obedience to her command that he afterwards performed the miracle” (Calvin).

Mary receives the rebuke in its intention. For she speaks to the servants, saying, “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.” Neither she nor they are to approach Jesus. He will do what is His will to do. Jesus calls the servants to “Fill the water-pots with water.” When they were filled to the brim, He says, “Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast.” After the first taste, the governor, the one responsible for seeing to the food and drink, calls the bridegroom to his side, saying, “Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine …but thou hast kept the good wine until now.”

We do not know the response of the bridegroom or his guests at the wedding. For the narrative is given to us, not that we may speculate on the responses, but that we might know why Christ performed miracles throughout His three years of ministry on this earth. It is clearly told to us that we may not speculate but celebrate in faith and thanksgiving. For this “beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee,” to “manifest forth his glory!” His miracles were acts of divine revelation that His glory, His person, character, and redemptive work, might be recognized and known. Thus, we note the response of our Lord’s disciples, They believed! The Lord would later sum up His ministry in His prayer to His Father: “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world; …For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me” (John 17:5–8).

Discussion: What was the purpose behind the doing of miracles by our Lord?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2012 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.