The Word for Today with Ray: July 2022

Sunday, July 31, 2022

Jesus We Believe You are that Christ - John 6:69

John the apostle wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “It is the spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will you also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? you have the words of eternal life”, and in chapter six and verse sixty-nine of his book, John shared how Peter told Jesus, “we believe and are sure that you are that Christ” where we read:

And we believe and are sure that you are that Christ, the Son of the living God.

The verse reads, “And we believe and are sure that you are that Christ, ...”. John began with the words, “and we believe” or “and we, the original twelve disciples, trust in, rely upon, cling to and have confidence” “and are sure” which means “and exists as certain, perceiving, understanding and having knowledge” “that you are that Christ” or “that you, Jesus, exist as the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God”. John shared how “Simon Peter” told Jesus he and the other original disciples not only “trust in” Him, but were also “certain” He is the “Messiah and Son of God”.

The verse continues, “... the Son of the living God.” John added the words, “the Son” which means “God in the form of the Son” “of the living God” or “belonging to the active, blessed, endless, full of vigor, powerful and efficacious Godhead and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. John shared how “Simon Peter” recognized Jesus to be the “active and powerful” Son of God.

When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we learn how “Simon Peter” understood who Jesus was in relationship to His Father God. God came to the earth in the form of the Son (See John 1:14) because it was His purpose not only to identify with mankind (See Hebrews 4:15), but also to die in their place as the punishment for sins. When they recognize Jesus who He is and what He did for them on the cross, they put their faith and trust in Him who will “save” them forever. Everyone who yields their life to the “Son of the living God” will be forgiven of their wrongs and be granted everlasting life with God. Let all who are wise submit themselves to Him.

Next time John shares how Jesus asks His disciples, “have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

To Whom Shall We Go? - John 6:68

The apostle John wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “It is the spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will you also go away?”, and in chapter six and verse sixty-eight of his book, John shared how Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, to whom shall we go?” where we read:

Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? you have the words of eternal life.

The verse reads, “Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go?” John began with the words, “Then Simon Peter” or “at that time Simon which means little rock or stone Peter which also means little rock or stone and was one of Jesus' disciples” “answered him” which means “responded and began to answer Jesus”, “Lord” or “One to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah”, “to whom shall we go” which means “to what person will we depart, leave and go after”? John shared how Jesus' disciple “Simon Peter” asked Him to whom would they “depart”?

The verse goes on to say, “you have the words of eternal life.” John continued with the words, “you have the words” which means “you, Jesus, hold, own and possess the speech, discourse, utterance, message and narrative” “of eternal life” or “pertaining to never ceasing, without end and perpetual, real and genuine life which is active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last for ever”. John shared how “Simon Peter” told Jesus that He “held and possessed” the “message” pertaining to “life” that is everlasting, vigorous and devoted to God.

When we consider John's words in this verse, we learn how “Simon Peter” gave the answer that should be upon the lips of every person who considers Jesus. Jesus came to provide “eternal life” to everyone who believes and trusts in Him as their “Savior and Lord”. He desires to “forgive” their sins and provide them with a relationship with God the Father that will lead them not only to Heaven, but also as they journey along their earthly life. Jesus indeed has the words of “age abiding life”, and all who are wise will yield themselves to Him to receive His abundant and “eternal life” that is available to all.

Next time John shares how Peter tells Jesus, “we believe and are sure that you are that Christ”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Will You Also Go Away? - John 6:67

The apostle John wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “It is the spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him”, and in chapter six and verse sixty-seven of his book, John shared how Jesus asked His twelve disciples, “will you also go away?” where we read:

Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will you also go away?

The verse reads, “Then said Jesus unto the twelve, ...”. John began with the words, “Then said Jesus” or “at that time Jesus uttered, declared, proclaimed and asked” “unto the twelve” which means “toward His twelve original disciples who stayed with Him” the following question. John shared how Jesus asked His “twelve” original disciples the following question.

The verse continues, “... Will you also go away?” John added the words, “will you also” which means “do you, twelve original disciples, even so and indeed desire, wish, purpose, determine and intend to” “go away” or “leave, depart and go forth”? John shared how Jesus questioned His original “twelve” disciples as to whether they “also” would leave Him.

When we think through John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus spoke to His twelve original “disciples”, and asked them whether they intended to leave Him as well. We shall discover their answer in our next verse, but for now, let us imagine what it must have been like for the “Son of the Living God” to have been abandoned and rejected by His own disciples. Though there were “twelve” original disciples chosen by Jesus, we learn there were many more who followed Him. At this point, only the original “twelve” continued with Him, but we shall discover that “all of them” will soon abandon Him. Jesus came to offer Himself as a “sacrifice” on the cross for the sins of “all” people, and regardless of whether they find His words too “difficult” or “hard”, He came to die for them. Every person who yields their life to Jesus Christ will be forgiven of their sins and inherit everlasting life with God. Let all who read these words not be “offended” by what Jesus said, but rather submit themselves to Him and trust Him when they lack in understanding.

Next time John shares how Jesus asked His twelve disciples, “Lord, to whom shall we go?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Many of Jesus' Disciples Leave - John 6:66

The apostle John wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “It is the spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father”, and in chapter six and verse sixty-six of his book, John shared, “from that time many of his disciples went back” where we read:

From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

The verse reads, “From that time many of his disciples went back, ...”. John began with the words, “from that time” or “after and at that particular moment” “many of his disciples” which means “a large and massive number of Jesus' students, pupils and attendants” “went back” or “left and departed to go away from Him”. John shared how a large number of Jesus' “students” left Him.

The verse goes on to say, “... and walked no more with him.” John continued with the words, “and walked no more” which means “and no longer made their way, followed or accompanied” “with him” or “alongside Jesus”. John shared how the disciples who left Jesus no longer followed Him.

When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we learn just how deeply Jesus' words affected a “large number” of His disciples. They left Him, and they followed Him no more. We can almost imagine the face of Jesus as these disciples departed from Him especially when He knew that His words were “spiritual and eternal” and would benefit them throughout all eternity. Jesus, unfortunately, watches people depart from Him today. Because He did not meet their expectations or perhaps did not perform as they desired, they “went back” to their old ways before they met Him. Jesus, however, is always ready to receive a person back into relationship with Him, and because He died for all sins, He is willing to forgive the sin of abandoning Him. Let all who read these words consider the teachings of Jesus and purpose to never leave Him regardless of how difficult His words may seem.

Next time John shares how Jesus asks His twelve disciples, “will you also go away?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Without the Father No Man Can Come - John 6:65

John the apostle wrote how Jesus told the people looking for Him, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, has eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, dwells in me, and I in him. As the living Father has sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eats me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eats of this bread shall live for ever. These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Does this offend you? What and if you shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?It is the spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him”, and in chapter six and verse sixty-five of his book, John shared how Jesus told His disciples, “no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father” where we read:

And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me,

except it were given unto him of my Father.

The verse reads, “And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, ...”. John began with the words, “and he said” or “and Jesus uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “therefore said I unto you” which means “then, wherefore, consequently and these things being so I, Jesus, uttered, declared and proclaimed to His disciples”, “that no man” or “that no person whether male or female” “can come unto me” which means “is able and capable of arising, appearing and coming forth to me, Jesus” unless the following occurs. John shared how Jesus reminded His disciples how He told them no person is able to “come forth” to Him unless the following happens.

The verse continues, “... except it were given unto him of my Father.” John added the words, “except it were given unto him” which means “lest or unless coming to Jesus was granted, bestowed, furnished and supplied to that person” “of my Father” or “by and from Jesus' Father God”. John shared how Jesus told His disciples that no one is able to “come” to Him unless it is “granted and provided” by God the Father Himself.

When we consider John's words in this verse, we understand how important it is for “God” to give a person “access” to Jesus. Unless the Heavenly Father gets involved, no one is able to come to Him. God loves people, and His desire is to have everyone relate to Him through His Son Jesus. Jesus came into the world to die for their sins because sins separated people from God the Father. When they believe and trust in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive their wrongs and grant them everlasting life with Him in Heaven. Let all who read these words receive the access to Jesus that God the Father gives and yield their life to Him as they do.

Next time John shares, “from that time many of his disciples went back”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Saturday, July 30, 2022

Some of You Believe Not - John 6:64

John he apostle wrote how Jesus told the people looking for Him, “As the living Father has sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eats me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eats of this bread shall live for ever. These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Does this offend you? What and if you shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?It is the spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life”, and in chapter six and verse sixty-four of his book, John shared how Jesus told His disciples, “there are some of you that believe not” where we read:

But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.

The verse reads, “But there are some of you that believe not.”. John began with the words, “But there are some of you” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover a certain number of Jesus' disciples” “that believe not” which means “who do not think to be true, were not persuaded, did not trust or place confidence in Jesus”. John shared how Jesus told His disciples that He knew a certain number of His disciples did not trust in or have confidence in Him.

The verse goes on to say, “For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.” John continued with the words, “for Jesus” which means “because, since and on account that the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation” “knew from the beginning” or “understood, perceived, noticed and discerned apart and separate from the origin, principal and chief place” “who they were that believed not” which means “who His disciples were that did not trust in, rely upon, cling to and place confidence in Him”, “and who should betray him” or “and which of His disciples would deliver over treacherously and condemn Jesus Himself to be put to death”. John s”shared how Jesus was aware from the “origin” of all things which of His disciples were not “believers” and also which of them would “deliver” Him over “treacherously” to be put to death.

When we think through John's words in this verse, we see how Jesus not only identified a number of non-believing disciples, but He actually knew which one of them would “betray” Him unto death. The amazing part of this story is that Jesus understood this in advance and still came to the earth to offer salvation to mankind. God so loved every person, that even when they did not believe His words, He came to pay the price for their sins. God wants to have a personal relationship with everyone through His Son Jesus, and when they believe and trust in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, they will be forgiven of their sins and inherit everlasting life with Him. Let all who read these words “believe” the words of God's Son Jesus and submit their lives to Him.

Next time John shares how Jesus tells His disciples, “no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.