The Word for Today with Ray

Tuesday, August 2, 2022

Show Yourself to the World - John 7:4

John the apostle wrote how, “Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart from here, and go into Judaea, that your disciples also may see the works that you do”, and in chapter seven and verse four of his book, John shared how Jesus' brothers tell Him, “there is no man that does any thing in secret, and he himself seeks to be known openly” where we read:

For there is no man that does any thing in secret, and he himself seeks to be known openly.

If you do these things, show yourself to the world.

The verse reads, “For there is no man that does any thing in secret, and he himself seeks to be known openly.” John began with the words, “For there is no man” or “because, since and on account that there exists no person whether male or female” “that does any thing in secret” which means “who performs, produces and makes ready any particular thing that is hidden, concealed or private”, “and he himself” or “and that person their own self” “seeks to be known openly” which means “desires, requires and demands to be free, without concealment, ambiguity or circumlocution”. John shared how Jesus' brothers told Him no one “performs” their acts and deeds in a hidden manner but rather “out in the open” so they can be “revealed”.

The verse continues, “If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” John added the words, “if you do these things” which means “whether you, Jesus, perform, produce and make ready your acts and deeds”, “show yourself” or “make manifest, visible and exposed your own self” “to the world” which means “to the earth and the people within it”. John shared how Jesus' brothers wanted Him to “manifest” Himself when He performed His “acts and deeds”.

When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus' brothers challenged Him to make Himself known to the world by His “works and deeds”. They could not understand why Jesus would “hide” Himself if He was indeed the “Christ” He claimed to be. We shall see how Jesus' brothers did not “believe” in Him at this point, and many people who do not “trust” in Jesus want Him to perform some sort of “public” work or deed to prove Himself. Jesus is the “Christ” and “Son of God”, and He came to pay the price for the sins of the world. He and His Father God's timing were perfect, and the time would come for Him to be “openly exposed”. Those who are wise will examine all Jesus came to do for them and submit to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord” as they do.

Next time John shares, “neither did his brethren believe in him”, 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".

Monday, August 1, 2022

The Advice of Jesus' Brothers - John 7:3

John the apostle wrote how, “Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him”, and in chapter seven and verse three of his book, John shared how Jesus' brothers told Him, “depart from here, and go into Judaea” where we read:

His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart from here, and go into Judaea,

that your disciples also may see the works that you do.

The verse reads, “His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart from here, and go into Judaea,, ...”. John began with the words, “His brethren therefore” or “Jesus' physical male siblings” “said unto him” which means “uttered, declared and proclaimed to Jesus”, “depart from here” or “leave, be removed and pass over from this place”, “and go into Judaea” which means “and travel or journey to the southern portion of Palestine lying on this side of the Jordan and the Dead Sea, to distinguish it from Samaria, Galilee, Peraea, and Idumaea”. John shared how Jesus' physical “brothers” told Him to leave from the “Galilee” area and travel to “Judaea”.

The verse goes on to say, “... that your disciples also may see the works that you do.” John continued with the words, “that your disciples” which means “so your, Jesus', students, pupils and attendants” “also may see” or “even so and indeed will have to opportunity to observe, notice, discern and discover” “the works that you do” which means “the acts, deeds, business and employment that you, Jesus, perform, produce and make ready”. John shared how Jesus' brothers told Him He should allow His “students and attendants” to “observe” all the “acts and deeds” that He did.

When we consider John's words in this verse, we discover the doubt Jesus' own brothers had in Him. We are later told they did not “believe” Him (See John 7:5), and because they knew Jesus as family, they had a difficult time believing He was the “Messiah” of God. Later on they will believe, (Refer to James and Jude His brothers), but at this point, they thought He was acting beside Himself. People often desire for Jesus to “prove” Himself to be who He says He is, but those who examine His life will understand He came to fulfill God the Father's purpose of providing “salvation” to every person who believe. Those who are reading these words should carefully examine the word, acts, deeds and attitudes of Jesus and put their faith in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”.

Next time John shares how Jesus' brothers tell Him, “there is no man that does any thing in secret, and he himself seeks to be known openly”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

The Feast of Tabernacles - John 7:2

John the apostle wrote how, “Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him”, and in chapter seven and verse two of his book, John shared how, “the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand” where we read:

Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand.

The verse reads, “Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles ...”. John began with the words, “Now the Jew's feast” or “moreover the festival of the Jewish people by birth, origin and religion” “of tabernacles” which means “pertaining to the festival was observed by the Jews yearly for seven days, beginning with the 15th of the month Tisri (approx. our Oct.) partly to perpetuate the memory of the time when their ancestors after leaving Egypt dwelt in tents on their way through the Arabian desert, and partly as a season of festivity and joy on the completion of the harvest and the vintage (the festival of ingatherings) In celebrating the festival the Jews were accustomed to construct booths of the leafy branches of trees, — either on the roofs or in the courts of their dwellings, or in the streets and squares, and to adorn them with flowers and fruits of all kinds — under which, throughout the period of the festival, they feasted and gave themselves up to rejoicing” was as follows. John shared how the timing of this next event in Jesus' life was at the “feast of tabernacles”.

The verse continues, “... was at hand.” John added the word, “was” which means “existed” “at hand” or “near, imminent and soon to come”. John shared how this “feast of tabernacles” was very close at hand.

When we think through John's words in this verse, we learn the “timing” of this next event in Jesus' life. Step by step John the apostle is taking his readers through the life of Jesus, and although he does not include every action and event in which Jesus was involved, he includes many of them to prove He is indeed the Messiah and Son of God. God loves people, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with each of them through His Son Jesus. Those who study the life of Jesus will begin to understand how deliberate and purposed He was as He “walked” in the earth, and their response should be to yield their lives to Him who knows exactly what He is doing and where He is doing it.

Next time John shares how Jesus' brothers tell Him, “Depart from here, and go into Judaea, that your disciples also may see the works that you do”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Jews Sought to Kill Jesus - John 7:1

John the apostle wrote after Jesus told His disciples and the Jewish people who were listening to Him they must eat His flesh and drink His blood because He was the bread from heaven,and “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 we believe and are sure that you are that Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spoke of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve”, and in chapter seven and verse one of his book, John shared how Jesus, “would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him” where we read:

After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry,

because the Jews sought to kill him.

The verse reads, “After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, ...”. John began with the words, “after these things” or “behind Jesus' disciples leaving Him and identifying Judas Iscariot as the one who would betray Him” “Jesus walked in Galilee” which means “the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation ambled and made His way within the name of a region of northern Palestine, bounded on the north by Syria, on the west by Sidon, Tyre, Ptolemais and their territories and the promontory of Carmel, on the south by Samaria and on the east by the Jordan”: “for he would not walk” or “because, since and on account that Jesus did not intend, desire, wish, resolve, determine or purpose to amble and make His way” “in Jewry” which means “within Judaea which means he shall be praised and was the southern portion of Palestine lying on this side of the Jordan and the Dead Sea, to distinguish it from Samaria, Galilee, Peraea, and Idumaea”. John shared how Jesus purposed no longer to “make His way” within “Judaea” but rather “walked” within the area of “Galilee” instead.

The verse goes on to say, “... because the Jews sought to kill him.” John continued with the words, “because the Jews” which means “since and on account that the people within the Jewish nation by origin, birth and religion” “sought to kill him” or “strove for, aimed, craved and demanded to destroy, extinguish and abolish Jesus”. John shared the reason Jesus did not “walk” in Judaea any longer was because the people there wanted to “kill” Him.

When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus avoided “Judaea” and stayed in the “Galilee” area because people wanted to “kill” Him. Rather than face His enemies whom He could have easily destroyed, Jesus kept away from them. Jesus knew His Father's purpose, plan and timing. Jesus came to die for the sins of the world, but everything was to be within God's timing and purpose. Jesus will travel to “Judaea” in our next few verses, but for not let it suffice us to know, God know us, He knows His plan and He knows His timing and the place for anything He will do.

Next time John shares how, “the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Judas Iscariot - John 6:71

The apostle John wrote after Jesus told His disciples and the Jewish people who were listening to Him about eating His flesh and drinking His blood because He was the bread from heaven, “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 we believe and are sure that you are that Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?”, and in chapter six and verse seventy-one of his book, John shared how Jesus, “spoke of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon” where we read:

He spoke of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon:

for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

The verse reads, “He spoke of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon:”. John began with the words, “he spoke of” or “Jesus affirmed, maintained and described” “Judas Iscariot” which means “the disciple of Jesus whose name means he shall be praised and was an inhabitant of Kerioth” “the son of Simon” or “the male offspring or progeny belonging to Simon whose name means a little rock or stone”. John shared how the “certain disciples” who was a “devil” was “Judas Iscariot” who was born to another man named “Simon”.

The verse continues, “for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.” John added the words, “for he it was” which means “because, since and on account that Judas Iscariot existed as the disciple” “that should betray him” or “who was about to, intended to and had in mind to deliver Jesus over treacherously to the authorities”, “being one of the twelve” which means “existing as a particular one of the original twelve disciples”. John identified “Judas Iscariot” as the “disciple” of Jesus who would “deliver Him” over to the “authorities” in a “treacherous” way.

When we consider John's words in this verse, we learn that “Judas Iscariot” was the “disciple of Jesus” who would “betray” Him. We know that John the apostle is writing these words after “Judas” already performed His act of betrayal, and this validated the way Jesus “identified” him well in advance of His treachery. Jesus knew “Judas” would “betray” Him, and He chose him anyway. Jesus could have avoided “Judas”, but He didn't because people needed a “Savior” to pay the price for their sins and every scripture concerning Him must be fulfilled. God loves everyone, and His desire is to bring them into a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus. Those who refuse and reject Jesus as their “Savior and Lord” are like “Judas” who “betray” Jesus rather than receive Him and His “sacrifice” so they may live eternally with His Father God.

Next time we begin a new chapter and see John share how Jesus, “would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

One of You is a Devil - John 6:70

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 we believe and are sure that you are that Christ, the Son of the living God”, and in chapter six and verse seventy of his book, John shared how Jesus asked His disciples, “have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?” where we read:

Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

The verse reads, “Jesus answered them, ...”. John began with the word, “Jesus” or “the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation” “answered them” which means “responded and began to speak to Peter and His remaining twelve disciples”. John shared how Jesus began to respond to Peter's statement.

The verse goes on to say, “... Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?” John continued with the words, “Have not I chosen you twelve” which means “have not I, Jesus, selected and picked out you, twelve disciples”, “and one of you” or “and a particular and certain one of you disciples” “is a devil” which means “exists as a slanderous and falsely accusing calumniator”. John shared how Jesus asked His “twelve disciples” whether He had “selected” all “twelve” of them, but a particular one of them was as a “slanderous and falsely accusing calumniator.

When we think through John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus acknowledged the “twelve disciples” but then identified one of them as a “devil” or “slanderer”. We can imagine the “disciples'” reaction to Jesus as He told them these words, but Jesus knew in advance what His fate was to be. Jesus came to the world to offer Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of every person, and those who put their faith and trust in Him will be forgiven of their sins and inherit everlasting life with God. Let all who read these words live as “chosen” by Jesus and never be known as a “devil” to Him.

Next time John shares how Jesus asks His disciples, “spoke of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon ”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.