Gospel – John 3-4

John 3, 4

If there is hunger, there is food.

If there is curiosity there is knowledge.

If there is desire for something beyond this world, there must be something beyond this world.

I gave in, and admitted that God was God.

C.S. Lewis

Bible Passage:  John 3-4

The Gospel of John, as with the other gospel books depicts Jesus’ time on earth, doing the will of God and finishing His work. (John 4:34)

Take time to enjoy and relish in the scenes presented before us as we read John chapters 3 and 4. We see Jesus in action as He went about sharing God’s message of salvation. The people living at that time experienced first-hand His works, healings and miracles.

Fast forward to 2009. We are carrying on this legacy, rather, this mission of sharing God’s salvation message and saving souls from the snares of evil. There are many things we can learn from Jesus and His ministry recorded in John.

Jesus made Himself accessible to the masses. We read that Nicodemus came to Him even by night, acknowledging that Jesus was a teacher from God because of the miracles He had performed.

Jesus was humble and immediately saw this as opportunity to further his conversation with Nicodemus who came on his own accord to look for Jesus. He did not continue the conversation along the thread of having perform those wondrous miracles which a normal Jew would probably not have had the ability to perform, but responded along another line, introducing to Nicodemus the concept of being born again of water and spirit.

Jesus used simple words, and descriptions of everyday elements – birth (everyone was once born a baby), the blowing wind (which everyone could feel), light and darkness (which everyone could see) to illustrate His teachings. He even made use of a little bit of history – Moses lifting up the serpent in the wilderness that those who gazed at it were saved from death – a recording which Nicodemus must have been very familiar with.

Jesus made use of the things Nicodemus could feel for, been moved perhaps, or have given a thought to. Just as Jesus made God’s salvation message come alive for Nicodemus then, we attempt to make God’s words real and relevant to our friends and truth-seekers today. It makes it easier for them to relate to and understand. Jesus told Nicodemus, “If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?” We can share with our non-believing family members and cherished friends our own stories of what we have heard and seen and how we came to tread on this Christian path. (John 3:11-12)

Jesus did not mince His words, He proclaimed the truth plainly and told the people what they had to do to be saved, “that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”. He made this point 3 times – in chapter 3 verses 15,16 and again in 18. In verses 19 through 21, he further explains the condemnation (no minced words here) of man loving darkness rather than light as they have done deeds which they are not able to give a satisfactory account of, shameful deeds. We have to be able to explain to our friends the urgent need to receive Christ and keep away from the mud and mire of some ‘values’ which many in society hold today. Tell them of the presence of sin and Satan who is ready to snatch the idle soul away.

Jesus also made use of miracles which the people then could see and believe in His might, which of course, was why Nicodemus came to see Him about in the first place.

In chapter 4, as Jesus passed through the city of Sychar in Samaria, He rested by the well being tired from the journey. We can see clearly His goal was close to His heart, so much so that even as He rested, He initiated conversation with a Samaritan woman drawing water from the well. It started mundanely enough, a request for a drink of water. However we also note that a Jew in those times would not speak with or have anything to do with a Samaritan. Hence, Jesus broke that barrier by first speaking with her. When we hold a cause or a mission close to our hearts, we want it completed in double time, we want to feel the joy and satisfaction of having completed it. If we hold dear the salvation message of God and feel that we must share it with our friends, we will do whatever it takes, be the initiator, reach out to them, so they will in turn reach out for God before it is too late.

Jesus built upon what the Samaritan woman mentioned (John 4:20-23) – of the mountain of worship and introduced another spiritual teaching – that one must worship in spirit and truth. Imagine if Jesus had started talking about worshipping in spirit and truth, the Samaritan woman might not have been able to grasp what He was talking about. Jesus took the point she mentioned about their fathers worshipping on the mountain and what she understood about Jews worshipping in Jerusalem and explained the concept of true worship.

Jesus spoke with authority which stemmed from His faith and was quick to act. He told the nobleman who came to look for Him regarding his son’s illness plainly, “Go your way; your son lives.”

This was the second miracle Jesus did and the beginning of more amazing things to come as we walk with Jesus and learn from Him on His ministry journey. J

Remember to walk with your loved ones and friends and be there for them too, sharing with them God’s teachings, as Jesus was with His disciples and is guiding us through the Holy Spirit today.

Jesus Will Walk With Me

(Haldor Lillenas)

Jesus will walk with me down through the valley
Jesus will walk with me over the plain
When in the shadow or when in the sunshine
If He goes with me I shall not complain

Jesus will walk with me
He will talk with me He will walk with me
In joy or sorrow Today or tomorrow
I know He will walk with me

Jesus will walk with me when I am tempted
Giving me strength as my need may demand
When in affliction His presence is near me
I am upheld by His almighty hand

Jesus will walk with me when I am tempted
Giving me victory through the storm and strife
He is my Comforter, Counselor, Leader
Over the uneven journey of life

Jesus will walk with me in life’s fair morning
And when the shadows of evening must come
Living or dying, He will not forsake me
Jesus will walk with me all the way home