June 16, 2020, Psalms 97, John 11

Psalms 97

KJV

The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.

Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.

A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.

His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.

The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.

Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.

Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.

For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.

Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

John 12

Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.

There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.

Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,

Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?

This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.

For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.

Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.

But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;

Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,

Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.

These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.

The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.

For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.

The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.

And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:

The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.

And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.

Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.

Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

This he said, signifying what death he should die.

The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?

Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:

That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?

Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,

He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.

And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.

I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

We have journey to our end point in John. From this point on his gospel becomes similar to Matthew, Mark, Luke. We have not read Mark but its very similar to Matthew, and the big difference between Matthew, Mark, and Luke is language. He is called the physician so I can image his language would differ. I hope as you read these gospels you find that these men gave up their life for God. When you believe something you bet everything on it. Next we are traveling to Revelations. It is worth reading and discovering more about Jesus. 

Similarities to Matthew, Mark, Luke compared to John. 

1. The cross
2. His purpose
3. The witness of John the baptist
4. The witness of the Father
5. All four gospels agree, the different religious sectors plotted against Jesus. They did not believe. We don't learn why until the book of John.  
6. All the disciples spend time with Jesus; however John seems to have spent more time with Jesus.
7. They do not speak in detail about the Holy Spirit; but they witness the Holy Spirit; John references being born again and other ideas.
8. We meet people who encountered Jesus and in the book of John we get introduced to more. 

Differences Between Matthew, Mark, Luke compared to John

1. The calling of the disciples; each book has different listing of when one disciple was called. 
2. We do get an idea of Jesus as a child but immediately the book of John goes into the beginning. In the first three gospels Jesus is a child but in John we get his spiritual origin, for example, in the beginning was the word, and the word was God, and the word was with God. Or One could say our beginning. 
3. In the other gospels it begins with Mary, and the birth of Jesus, and the harsh King Herod. 
4. All four gospels paint a detail and descriptive picture of Jesus. 
   
5. John writes about the Son of God. He speaks of ideas concerning man and God. 
6. John reveal the Religious sectors rejection of God was because they hated light and loved darkness. If you come to Jesus it's because you choose to walk in the light. If you reject him or say you do not believe its really because the person loves darkness. 
7. John speaks of the Father. Who is Father God? Jesus tells them he is one with the Father. 
8. John speaks about being able to hear the truth. 
9. Those that hear lies belong to their father the devil.  

Its been a while since I taken the time to read long passages.I am happy but I am not sure why but this time around the religious leaders behavior stood out to me. In each gospel the writers share one common view of them. We read about unyielding combative men. They seem to be angry with God over small things. When I read it; it bothers me. Why did the leaders have to be bad? I guess its more about me wondering how did the devil get to a high place? When I think about the temple in the old testament the priest were righteous and holy. They were chosen by God because he wanted to dwell among his people.  But times changed and people who wanted God had to go through these wicked men only to find nothing at the end of the journey. Jesus comes and he does wonders among his people. But he tells some of them they are children of the devil.  I think back to January when we reed Joshua. Joshua goes through so much to get the Land. It was a promise from God. They had so many enemies to fight, and fast forward, the priest is filled with devil. What happened? Why did Jesus weep when he came to Jerusalem. Jerusalem had changed.  Of course the priest or the various religious groups do not represent all of Jerusalem. But it was a Holy city and the religious people had lots of influence. People saw them as representing God. For example the Priest goes into the holy place and he speaks to God; and he tells the people what God wants. So the average person listened. It was out of respect because God had David and other good men but things had changed. The devil was in the temple chilling. God had to come from heaven to help mankind. There is even a parable that says as things got out of control God sent prophets and they killed the prophets. They killed people that brought them truth. People were under them and they had that influence over people. The average person could not have a relationship with God. If you were sinner you could not relate to God. But God so loved the world. I know he came down from heaven. I am glad because Jesus opened up a doorway or a path to God. It is a open door. It is amazing. If you believe. You don't need the priest to stand in between you and God. They fought against Jesus with all they had but the truth is Jesus is the door. He will never be corrupted. Man can be corrupted but Jesus is a strong man. 

How did the devil bind the priest? I am sure we can all think of all the ways we have fallen short but the devil is crafty. He is sneaky. If you wanted to take down your opponent. What would you do? How could the devil block God?  The old system and the way the  temple functioned was prey for the devil.  If he can corrupt the priest he has mastered everybody. He has separated the priest from God so then what happens to the people? If he can bind the shepherd he can scatter the sheep. It was a failing system. 

In the gospels Jesus is unique and on a mission from God and he has done a good thing. The miracles are great but the fact that we can talk to God is the greatest thing for all mankind. The writers have done a great job of expressing God's NEW plan. When you fight against God it's not about a one person. Its about millions of people whom he has granted the chance to say, Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. In Jesus name I ask you to help me. 

My sheep hear my voice.....

Jesus 

He is the life.

The resurrection. 

If you believe in him you will live again. 

 If you think about the church its a better set up. Because now we are all equal and the devil cannot get to the head which is Jesus. He has a body of believers and each one is unique. Each one has the ability to contain a Holy Spirit. That's a lot of strength in a one place. The devil cannot tear down the church. Jesus has built his church on a  strong rock and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. It is stable. 

John focuses a lot on this... It is the idea that the Holy spirit that would inhabit all. God on the inside. But if only one man ( have the power it is a sinking ship). If he falls into a ditch so will all those following him. Just because it is the blind leading the blind but today we are a body of believers. I have great respect for all believers. If you believe right you do well; if we believe wrong things go wrong. 

We are at the end of the Gospels, 

Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. 

 He has done a great work.

At the end we applaud his works.... . 

I enjoy the gospels. 

Have a great day!