John the apostle wrote how Jesus said, “He that loves his life shall lose it; and he that hates 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 honor. 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 your name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again”, and in chapter twelve and verse twenty-nine of his book John shared how, “the people, therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered” where we read:
The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered:
others said, An angel spoke to him.
The verse reads, “The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered:” John began with the words, “the people therefore” which means “the people both male and female then, wherefore and these things being so”, “that stood by” or “who were standing erect, in place and set near to Jesus”, “and heard it” which means “and were endowed with the faculty of hearing, perceiving, noticing and discerning the words of God from Heaven”, “said that it thundered” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed that it appeared to thunder from the sky”. John shared how “people” began to give explanation for the “voice of God” which came from Heaven, and they determined it “thundered” in the sky.
The verse goes on to say, “others said, An angel spoke to him.” John continued with the words, “others said” which means “other people uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “an angel” or “a messenger or envoy” “spoke to him” which means “uttered a sound or emitted a sound toward Jesus”. John shared how “other people” proclaimed that a “messenger or envoy from Heaven” made a declaration to Jesus.
When we think through John's words in this verse, we learn how the “people” standing near Jesus determined to know the “source” of the sound they “heard” from above. Some thought it was “thunder”, and others thought an “angel” was speaking to Jesus. It is interesting that they were not speaking to one another about what was said - “glorify your name”. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of every person, and everyone who puts their faith and trust in Him will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. Rather than attempt to “explain” the voice from Heaven, let all who read these words join with God the Father who “glorified” Jesus' name.
Next time John shares how Jesus says, “this voice came not because of me, but for your sakes”, 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