He Himself Knew What Was in Man (John #5)

Now when he was inJerusalemat the Passover Feast, many believed in

his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part

did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no

one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.

(John 2:23-25ESV)

 The Gospel of john is one of the most amazing pieces of literature in all of history. Even if one tried to separate the spiritual relevance of John’s gospel (which would be pointless and impossible, but please bear with me for the sake of the point I’m making), it would still stand as one of the most brilliant works of prose of it’s time. It’s written for the Hebrew and written for the Greek. It’s the first book recommended for new or non believers in Christ to read due to it’s simple to understand message. It’s also a book most studied by men of advanced theological study; there is no end to the treasures it holds in its 21 chapters. Likewise, this verse could be a sermon, or a book. But I will try to focus on a single point and the talking points that come from that one idea.

 In this verse we see Jesus acting skeptically, or for those who hat the word “skeptical” I would say prudently or wisely. Jesus knows the ways of man and the hearts of men. In this context Jesus’ had impressed people with the signs he was doing and people believed. Even still, as much as Jesus was surely pleased to see people believe Him, he also still did not place his trust in them. He knew what was in man.

 What is in man? What is in you and what is in me? In short: SIN. We fail, we miss the mark, we promise things and never do them. We pledge support and fail to act, we make promises, sometimes knowing even at the time they are not going to be filled. Sometimes it’s an accident, but often it’s not. We envy, hate and lust. We are selfish, greedy and corrupt. We are everything that is just the opposite of holiness, godliness and righteousness.

 We need righteousness to suppress, drive back and overwhelm all these things that are in us and part of us. Without Christ, we can do a bit better. Make ourselves model something less selfish; less prone to evil. But to truly overcome the unrighteousness that is what we are made of, we need to insert righteousness. Righteousness is NOT something that is in man. An outside of man influence needs to provide righteousness for us. Something from outside of us placed inside us put inside us so we are changed, different… reformed. Reborn.

 Paul points back to the words of the prophet Jeremiah (23:6; 33:16) when he says Christ is our righteousness (Rom1:17,3:22,5:18,8:10; 1 Cor.1:30; 2 Cor 5:1). Yes, he is our means and our provider, But even more so, we need to understand, He himself is our righteousness. This is good news. This means we can stop trying to be righteous ourselves, but instead should daily pursue more and more and more of Christ. And this, my friend, is a beautiful picture of what worship should look like.

Worshiping Him always,
Lee Gunter

Do Whatever He Tells You (John #4)

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and

the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the

wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the

mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And

Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me?

My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants,

“Do whatever he tells you.”

(John 2:1-5 ESV)

This is such a wonderful passage, and for reasons sometimes overlooked as well as the more obvious.

The most obvious and beautiful lesson we learn from this passage is a simple matter of trust and obedience. We are to do what Jesus says to do. It’s very easy to look at all Jesus said to do, and not do, and dismiss large portions of his teaching and admonishments as unrealistic. But this is not what following Christ is about. It’s about… well, following Christ. Following in his footsteps. Following His instructions. Doing what he says.All of it.

This passage also testifies about Jesus’ life in the years that go before the time we read about in the Gospels. If he was delusional about who he was, Mary's reaction would have been entirely different. If he had been a poor son to his mother, she would not have called on his aid the way she did. The character of Jesus the man is fortified by this passage.

We also should consider the geographic/social aspect of the situation. The site of the wedding, Cana, is according to the maps I have about 10 miles from both Nazareth (where Jesus is from) and the Sea of Galilee (where the ex-fishermen disciples come from). The passage tells us Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. To assume proximity was the basis of their invitation would cause us to include the entire region of Galilee was invited. John (the baptizer) was a social pariah. Jesus was quite opposite (Luke 7:33-34). The invite was also extended to a zealot, a tax collector and a batch of fishermen. Fishermen tend to smell like fish. But they were there. Thought provoking.

Lastly, I want to consider Jesus’ answer to Mary’s first remark. He basically says, “No. I won’t do anything to fix this situation. It’s not my problem, and it’s too soon for me.” Mary trusts him to do what is needed nonetheless. This is interesting. Firstly, if I was the Gospel writer, I would never make up a story like that. I’d write how Jesus was all ready to jump all over the problem. So the story smacks of truth. Second, it tells more about Jesus’ relationship to his mother, and his willingness to do her bidding. Maybe out of respect. Maybe out of love. Probably out of both. He is a good son even to a mother who he has overwhelmingly surpassed.

For me there’s far more to “do whatever he tells you” than first meets the eye. Read it for yourself. What do you think?

Worshiping Him always,

Lee Gunter

Under the Fig Tree (John #3)

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, 

“Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 

Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” 

Jesus answered him, 

“Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 

Nathanael answered him, 

“Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 

Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’

do you believe? You will see greater things than these.”

 (John 1:47-50 ESV)

What I want to focus on from this passage is the "under the fig tree" reference that Jesus makes to Nathanael. I've heard more than a few sermons preached on this passage, and read even more print on what Jesus meant by "under the fig tree". I divide these into three categories: negative, neutral and positive. The negative runs contrary to the surrounding conversation. And the neutral is essentially a refusal to speculate at all. So we will focus on the positive approach.

The positive viewpoint is the most common, the best supported by the surrounding scriptures and where I tend to stand personally as well. If we follow the conversation backward, “I saw you under the fig tree” is an answer to “How do you know me?” which is a response to Jesus saying there was no deceit in Nathanael and that he was an “Israelite indeed”. So whatever was happening under the fig tree was something that showed him to be of good character, not someone being busted (i.e. the woman at the well) or just a passive observation.

Some like to point of the figurative/representative nature of the fig tree, which was often used to represent Israel itself. This bodes well with Jesus reference to Nathanael as an Israelite. The fig tree is also supposed to bear fruit before it gives leaves, alluding to Nathanael bearing fruit in his ministry early. Some point out that a fig tree would (or could. I’m skeptical) be a common place for prayer. That Jesus saw Nathanael praying under the fig tree. But I have trouble reconciling these with Nathanael’s amazement. Anyone could see him praying. so what?

Jesus knew something. His observations would need to be something unseen and unheard by anyone else. Did Nathanael ask God for a sign? He could have. But Jesus says a wicked generation asks for a sign (Matthew 12:38-39). Was a prayer answered, and Nathanael said something in thanksgiving that made Jesus’ remark make sense. This is a very real possibility. I like it. 

Better yet, I like to think, and this cannot be proved of course, that Nathanael was praying for the promised Messiah and for Israel - specifically and recently. In verse 45 we read “Philip found Nathanael”… he could have very well found him under that very tree. Part of why I think this is based on Nathanael’s reaction, testifying that Jesus was both “Son of God” and “King of Israel” as well as “Rabbi”. Interestingly, Jesus’ answer was basically, “you ain’t seen nothing yet.” This aligns well with the fact that Jesus’ was frequently accepted as a prophet, but less often as The prophet. And the Messiah, while a sent one from God, was not fully understood to be God Himself made man.

That's what I think. What I really want to know, now, is what YOU think.

Worshiping Him always,

Lee Gunter

He Did Not Deny (John #2)

And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests

and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He

confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”

(John 1:19-20 ESV)

In chapter one of his gospel John the apostle makes much of John the Baptist and his role as the herald of Christ. Between verses 1-5 and 9-18 we read verses 6-8 about the witness. Again in verse 10 we take up “ the testimony of John” and hew remains the focus of the narrative through verse 36. Much writing, preaching and study has been done on John’s relationship to Jesus as a witness, prophet and foreteller.

One small piece of this that seems to be largely overlooked is the phrase “He did not deny”. It’s just swept up with all the “John is not the Christ, but testifies of Christ” narration that surrounds it. But the verse specifically says, “he did not deny”. A denial follows an accusation. So what is John being accused of. The verse continues, “but confessed, ‘I am not the Christ’.” John confessed to not being the Christ. His denial is implicitly of being the Christ. Since John never would have claimed to be the Christ, why would they make such an accusation? There are a few possibilities to ponder.

1. Others testified he was the Christ - It happens. It’s how cults come to pass. Less extreme, it’s how people lose their focus on Christ and start thinking they can do ministry under their own power. A good leader… a good minister… a proper worship leader will always make a point to direct attention away from himself and back to Jesus.

2. His actions were Christlike in nature – this is a good thing. John’s personal testimony and the substance of his ministry was so powerful that he presented to the people of his time a messianic type figure. He spoke boldly. He lived a radically unique lifestyle. God was clearly with him. Jesus called him the greatest man born to a woman (Luke 7:28). And this will cause people to be confused. It was John’s job to set them straight, to point their attention and affections back to the true Christ. When we lead others into God’s presence we should be very deliberate about doing the same.

John denies he is the Christ. He says he is not worthy to tie Jesus’ sandals. He states that Jesus should be baptizing him in stead of the other way around. He states that his place is to be less and Jesus should be more. Remember this when you feel undervalued. John ate locusts. You can eat a little humble pie. Because worship is about Christ, not us.

Worshiping Him always,
Lee Gunter