John the apostle wrote how Jesus said, “I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I showed you from my Father; for which of those works do you stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone you not; but for blasphemy; and because that you, being a man, make yourself God. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, You are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken. Say you of him, whom the Father has sanctified, and sent into the world, You blaspheme; because I said, I am the Son of God?”, and in chapter ten and verse thirty-seven of his book John shared how Jesus said, “If I do not the works of my Father; believe me not" where we read:
If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
The verse reads, “If I do not the works of my Father, ...” John began with Jesus' words, “If I do not the works” which means “whether, since and on account that I, Jesus, do not perform, make ready and produce the acts and deeds” “of my Father” or “belonging to my, Jesus', Father God in Heaven”. John shared how Jesus continued His discussion with the Jewish people who desired to “stone” Him by having them consider the “acts and deeds” which His Father God gave Him the ability to perform.
The verse continues, “... believe me not.” John added the words, “believe me” which means “trust in, rely upon and have confidence in me, Jesus” “not” or “no and in way”. John shared how Jesus told the “Jewish people” who were to “stone” Him not to “trust in” Him if He didn't do the “acts and deeds” of God His Father.
When we consider John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus invited the Jewish people who were going to “stone” Him to examine the “acts and deeds” which He was given to perform by God the Father. Jesus knew these people doubted who He claimed to be, and this is not unusual even today. People do not believe Jesus is the “Son of God” and His Messiah, and even though they read and hear of the wonderful works of God through Jesus, they continue to doubt. God's desire is to have a personal relationship with every person through Jesus, and when they surrender to Him, they will be forgiven of their sins and inherit everlasting life with God. Those who are wise will reject the way of the Jewish people who wanted to “stone” Jesus and simply yield their lives to Him.
Next time John shares how Jesus said, “believe the works”, 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".
No comments:
Post a Comment