THE GOSPEL OF JOHN Part 2- WHEN DIVINITY BECAME HUMANITY

WHEN DIVINITY BECAME HUMANITY, WHEN GOD BECAME MAN

The Gospel of John is the revelation of Jesus Christ as the SON OF GOD- who He is, what He did, and what He told us to do. This is Part 2 of the Gospel of John emphasizing WHEN DIVINITY BECAME HUMANITY, WHEN GOD BECAME MAN. In the Gospel of John alone, there are over 20 verses in which Jesus and others said to ‘BELIEVE IN HIM OR BELIEVE ON HIM’. Here Jesus, a young man in his thirties, had the temerity and audacity to tell every one in the world that we must BELIEVE IN OR ON HIM so we will not perish in hell and everlasting damnation, but have EVERLASTING LIFE. The simple reason why is because Jesus is telling us the truth; that ONLY HE AS GOD can save us and give us eternal life. JESUS is EMMANUEL- GOD WITH US, Mt1:23, who ‘died for our sins’ Ro5:8.

Apart from Jesus, there is no salvation of our souls and eternal life Jn3:15. Jesus said ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,that whosoever BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD not perish, but have everlasting life’ Jn3:16, referring to himself. John the Baptist added ‘He that BELIEVETH ON THE SON hath everlasting life: and he that BELIEVETH NOT THE SON SHALL not see life; but the WRATH OF GOD abideth on him‘ Jn3:36. Jesus told his disciples ‘Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, BELIEVE ALSO IN ME’ Jn14:1. When the apostle dubbed ‘doubting Thomas’ saw the resurrected Jesus alive after His crucifixion, he exclaimed ‘My Lord AND MY GOD’ Jn20:28. That JESUS IS GOD is indisputable by his many miracles, deeds, and sayings. We now continue with the Gospel of John Part 2- WHEN DIVINITY BECAME HUMANITY.

John Chapter 6- Jesus, the Bread of Life

Chapter 6 begins with Jesus back in his home country Galilee. While in the mountain plains, a great multitude of over 5000 men, besides women and children v10, followed Him after seeing the miracles he did on them who were sick and diseased v2. Here we see how Jesus miraculously multiplied a boy’s lunch of 5 barley loaves and 2 small fishes to feed the hungry multitudes. After they all had eaten, there were 12 baskets of fragments left over v10-13, Mt14:21. This was the 4th miracle in the Gospel of John (Mt15:38 states another 4000 were later fed in another incident).

Jesus immediately disappeared alone into a mountain for the people wanted to make him a king v15. The disciples then left to cross the Sea of Galilee on a boat toward Capernaum not knowing where Jesus went. Night came and the sea rose along with a great wind. They had rowed for about 3 to 4 miles when they saw ‘Jesus walking on the stormy sea.. and they were afraid’, but Jesus assured them v19,20. They willingly received Him in the ship, and presto, the ship landed v21. The next day the people crossed the sea looking for Jesus saw him with his disciples. They asked Jesus how did he cross over since he did not embark earlier with his disciples v22-25. Jesus supernaturally transported Himself in the stormy winds and walking on water!

In chapter 6 Jesus warned the people: ‘Ye seek Me, NOT because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you.. This is the work of God, that ye BELIEVE ON HIM  whom He hath sent’ v26-29. Jesus declared ‘I am the BREAD OF LIFE: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that BELIEVETH ON ME SHALL NEVER THIRST’ v35, just as he told the Samaritan woman Jn5:14. Jesus stated ‘He that BELIEVETH ON ME HATH EVERLASTING LIFE’ v47, as in Jn 3:16.

Jesus used the analogy that while bread is necessary for life, we need to partake of his flesh and his blood that He will give for the life of the world v51. Jesus said ‘..Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life..’ v53-54.

Here Jesus was NOT telling them to literally eat his flesh and blood, but to spiritually partake of Him, by believing in the sacrifice He will make for us– his own flesh and blood. Jesus said ‘It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the WORDS THAT I SPEAK UNTO YOU, THEY ARE SPIRIT, AND THEY ARE LIFE’ v63. Jesus meant that only by BELIEVING HIS WORDS CAN WE GET EVERLASTING LIFE. BELIEVING IN JESUS means TO OBEY HIS WORDS, what He told us to do. While in the wilderness, Jesus told the devil ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every WORD that proceedeth out of the mouth of God’ Mt4:4.

Notice the AntiChrist number used in Jn6:66;  ‘From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him’. They did not believe in Jesus anymore, and thus lost eternal life v54. In John chapter 6, Jesus repeatedly said he that BELIEVETH ON HIM ‘I will raise him up on the last day’ v39,40,44,54. Here Jesus introduced the promise of a bodily Resurrection or the RAPTURE for His believers, also found in Jn11:25,26,14:3, 1Th4:16,17.

In chapter 6, we see two incidents of DIVINITY IN HUMANITY- Jesus having powers over nature and the physical laws by multiplying food, and then walking on water; no other man could except for Peter who took only a few steps Mt14:29. To change water into wine, heal the nobleman’s son and the lame man, and multiply food is something only God can do, as only God can create, perform miracles, and do supernatural acts. Thus, JESUS IS GOD- WHEN DIVINITY BECAME HUMANITY! We will see more examples of DIVINITY IN HUMANITY as we continue studying the Gospel of John!

John Chapter 7- Jesus Returns to Jerusalem Teaching in the Temple

There is only one Jewish temple, the one in Jerusalem. It was first built by King Solomon about 1000 BC, restored by Ezra and Nehemiah after the Babylonian Captivity about 530 BC, and finally reconstructed and enlarged by King Herod the Great, from about 50 to 4 BC, 46 years in the making Jn2:20. The temple was the center of the Jewish religious life and the headquarters of Judaism, their religion dating back to Moses’ days about 1500 BC.

Jesus is back in Galilee with his unbelieving younger half-brothers (4 of them. SeeMt13:55), who was jealous of him because of his growing fame. They asked Jesus if he will return to Jerusalem to perform his works before his disciples in Judaea v1-6. This was the time of the feast of tabernacles. Jesus told his brothers to go ahead. He would not yet go v8, but ‘abode still in Galilee’ v9. But a few days later Jesus left secretly and was found teaching in the temple.

Jesus proclaimed that HE WAS SENT BY GOD (note: only in John’s Gospel is this revealed, over 40x, e.g. Jn7:16,28,29) and that HE SPOKE ON BEHALF OF GOD. The Jews again sought to kill him v1,19,25 saying that Jesus had a devil v20, and because He earlier healed the lame man Jn5:16 on the sabbath day v23. Here we see that Jesus was very controversial, some believing on Him and others, jealously attacking him v12,20,26,31,40-43. Jesus created great trouble for the chief priests and Pharisees- the reigning religious Jews, and causing great dissension among them v45-53.

Regarding ‘LIVING WATER’ (as with the Samaritan woman at the well Jn4:10), at the temple Jesus shouted loudly, ‘If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that BELIEVETH ON ME, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of LIVING WATER. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the HOLY GHOST was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet GLORIFIED)’ v37-39. The LIVING WATER which Jesus would give to us is the BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY GHOST Ac1:5, earlier spoken of by John the Baptist Jn1:33.

(Note: JESUS was GLORIFIED when He presented Himself to God the Father in heaven after His Resurrection from the dead Jn20:17. Then on the day of Pentecost, Jesus sent the Holy Ghost (Spirit) to his disciples Ac2:4. Later John chapters 14,15,16 will reveal the importance of the BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT in our lives- to teach, lead, guide us, show us things to come, help us, protect us, and to empower us!)

John Chapter 8- Woman Taken in Adultery. Jesus, the Light Of The World, The Great I Am

Early in the morning, as Jesus was teaching in the temple, the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman taken in the act of adultery v1-3. According to the Mosaic Law, they said she should be stoned, to see what Jesus would say. Jesus pretending he did not hear them, stooped down and with his finger wrote something on the ground, as if scribbling down their sins v6. After pressing him, Jesus said ‘He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her’ v8. Their consciences were pricked such that one by one they left, beginning with their leaders, leaving Jesus alone with the woman v9. As no man was left to condemn her, Jesus said ‘Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more’ v11. This is the 2nd time in the Gospel of John that Jesus forgave someone of their sin (Jn5:14); something only God can do Mk2:7!

Jesus declared ‘I am the LIGHT OF THE WORLD’ v12. Jesus contended that He came down from heaven Jn6:38 and was sent by God the Father v16,18,26,29,42. Here Jesus defined who his disciples are ‘if ye CONTINUE IN MY WORD, then ye are my disciples indeed’ v31; ‘Ye shall know the TRUTH, and the TRUTH shall make you free’ v32, and ‘If the SON  herefore makes you FREE, ye shall be FREE  ndeed’ v36. Jesus debated with the people who said they were Abraham’s seed but they did not do the works of Abraham v39; but were of the devil- a murderer and the father of lies v44. Jesus said that He knows the Father v55 and that ‘before Abraham was I AM’ v58. This is the same ‘I AM THAT I AM’ that God spoke to Moses from the burning bush describing who He is Ex3:14. The people tried to stone Jesus but He supernaturally disappeared and escaped from their midst and passed by them v59.

John Chapter 9- The Healing of the Man Born Blind 

Jesus’ disciples asked why a man they had passed was born blind. Was it because of his sin or his parents? Jesus said neither, ‘but that THE WORKS OF GOD SHOULD BE MADE MANIFEST IN HIM’ v1-3. Here is a case of ‘divine appointment’ that Jesus would come across this beggar blind man to prove that He had the power of God to heal. Jesus spat on the ground, made a clay of spittle, anointed the man’s eyes with the clay and then told him to wash his eyes in the nearby pool of Siloam v6,7. He instantly received his sight for the first time. His neighbors recognized the once blind man, and asked him how he was able to see v10. He told them Jesus gave him his sight by anointing his eyes v11. They brought this man to the Pharisees for questioning on how this miracle was wrought. There was a division among themselves; some said Jesus was not of God because He healed on the sabbath day. Others said ‘How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles’ v16.

The Pharisees then asked his parents who gave a somewhat sarcastic answer; ‘We know that this is our son, and he was born blind: But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself’ v21. The people were afraid of the Pharisees because anyone who confessed that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue v22.  So the Pharisees moved on to question the man that was once blind.

This chapter almost reads like a comedy, how the once blind man answered when the Pharisees accused Jesus of being a sinner: ‘Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see’ v25; ‘The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. Now we know that God heareth not sinners.. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind’ v30-32.

The Pharisees were offended, accused the once blind man of being a sinner, and cast him out v34. Later, Jesus privately asked the man ‘Dost thou BELIEVE ON THE SON OF GOD?’ v35. The man asked ‘Who is He, Lord, that I might BELIEVE ON HIM?  v36.  JESUS SAID IT WAS HE v37. The man said ‘LORD, I BELIEVE. AND HE WORSHIPPED HIM’ v38. JESUS IS GOD, as worship belongs only to God Mt4:10. Jesus said ‘For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind’ v39. Like the Pharisees then, many religious leaders today are in this 2nd group; they see but are blind to the truth. In this chapter, the once blind man not only received his sight, but also got saved!

John Chapter 10- Jesus, the Good Shepherd and His Sheep

Our relationship with Jesus is likened to a shepherd and his sheep. Jesus began to teach ‘I AM THE DOOR OF THE SHEEP.. BY ME IF ANY MAN ENTER IN, HE SHALL BE SAVED..’ v7,9. He then declared ‘I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD: the GOOD SHEPHERD giveth his life for the sheep’ v11. This chapter is analogous to the classic Psalm 23 by David, a 1000 years before speaking of Jesus: ‘THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD; I shall not want (need for anything)’. Jesus is our GOOD SHEPHERD who takes good care of us. Jesus said ‘The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I AM COME THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE LIFE, AND THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY’ v10. Jesus contrasted his works to give us life and a more abundant life to that of the devil- to steal, kill and to destroy us.

Four times Jesus emphasized, as the GOOD SHEPHERD, He gives and lays down his life for his sheep v11,15,17,18; and He has the power to take it again v18, meaning that HE IS GOD. Here Jesus purposely stated that He will die to save us from our sins, and He will raise Himself again. Only JESUS AS GOD can do that! 

Jesus continued to declared Himself to the Jews causing a division among them. Some said he had a devil v20, while others skeptically asked Jesus if He was the Christ v24. Jesus said ‘My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: AND I GIVE UNTO THEM ETERNAL LIFE; AND THEY SHALL NEVER PERISH, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand’ v27,28. Jesus said ‘I AND MY FATHER ARE ONE’ v30. For this saying, the Jews took up stones to stone him for blasphemy, for they said JESUS MADE HIMSELF GOD v33. They sought to take him, but again Jesus escaped out of their hands as in Jn8:59, into the countryside in Jordan on the opposite side of the river v39,40. Here we see again that Jesus has the ability to supernaturally disappear and escape when they tried to take him. Many recognized Jesus in Jordan and many believed on him v42. 

John Chapter 11- The Raising of Dead Lazarus

In the middle of the Gospel of John chapter 11, is a sure account of DIVINITY OF JESUS CHRIST– JESUS’ ABILITY TO RAISE THE DEAD. Jesus had developed many friendships in the course of his ministry, like with Nicodemus and here with siblings Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. (As an aside, there are 6 Marys mentioned in the New Testament: Mary, his mother; Mary Magdalene, an ex-prostitute; Mary, the sister of Lazarus; three others, the mothers of James Jn19:25 and Mark Ac12:2, and a helper of the apostle Paul Ro16:6).

In the town of Bethany about two miles from Jerusalem v18, his friend Lazarus whom Jesus loved, was very sick. While Jesus was still in Jordan about 18 miles away, Lazarus’ sisters sent a messenger to summon Jesus to pray for him. Jesus did not rush back but delayed his return by two days and made an unusual comment ‘This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby’ v4. GOD USED THIS INCIDENT TO SHOW THE POWER OF JESUS OVER DEATH, IN ORDER TO GLORIFY JESUS. 

From the time Jesus was notified of Lazarus’ illness till the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus had been dead for 4 days. Thomas then said ‘Let us also go that we may die with him’ v16 not referring to Lazarus, but to Jesus for the Jews sought to stone him v8. (Doubting Thomas is introduced here, for Thomas often made impulsive remarks Jn14:5,20:25.)

Jesus finally got to Bethany and learned that Lazarus was ‘lain in the grave four days already’ v17, and ‘he stinketh’ v39. (King David prophesied a 1000 years before, that JESUS WOULD NOT SEE CORRUPTION OR DECOMPOSE Ps16:10,Ac2:27). Unlike Lazarus, Jesus was raised from the dead on the 3rd day so Jesus did not experience decomposition! Jesus told Martha ‘I am the RESURRECTION, and the life: he that BELIEVETH IN ME, THOUGH HE WERE DEAD, YET SHALL HE LIVE: and WHOSOEVER LIVETH and BELIEVETH IN ME SHALL NEVER DIE. BELIEVEST THOU THIS?’ v25,26. 

In this very important passage Jesus referred again to the future Rapture as in Jn6:39,40,44,54- ‘I WILL RAISE HIM UP ON THE LAST DAY’. This is also a parallel with what the apostle Paul later said ‘THE DEAD IN CHRIST SHALL RISE FIRST, then we which are ALIVE AND REMAIN SHALL BE CAUGHT UP TOGETHER WITH THEM IN THE CLOUDS TO MEET THE LORD IN THE AIR: AND SO SHALL WE EVER BE WITH THE LORD. WHEREFORE COMFORT ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS’ 1Th4:16-18.

After having the stone to the cave removed, Jesus with a loud voice commanded ‘Lazarus, come forth’. Lazarus came forth bound with grave clothes but was loosed of them v44. Never has any man ever given sight to the blind Jn9:32, and now raised the dead. Jesus did both because JESUS IS GOD- WHEN DIVINITY BECAME HUMANITY, WHEN GOD BECAME MAN. We also see the humanity of Jesus in the shortest verse in the entire Bible ‘Jesus wept’ v35, when he learned of Lazarus’ death.

Many Jews that came to Mary, saw what happened and believed on Jesus v45; others went their way to report to the Pharisees what things Jesus had done. The chief priests and Pharisees were perplexed and took council on what to do, for Jesus had done many miracles v47. They were afraid the people would follow Jesus and the ruling Romans ‘shall come and take away both our place and nation’ v48. Caiaphas, the high priest then, stepped in and prophesied ‘it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not’ v50. The Sanhedrin, the Jewish Council, sought to arrest and kill Jesus v53. We see here how the devil Jn10:10 had inspired Caiaphas and the Pharisees to destroy Jesus. But Jesus again escaped and departed with his disciples to a city in the wilderness called Ephraim and remained there for a while v54. Meanwhile, the chief priests and Pharisees gave instructions to find Jesus to arrest him v57.

The Gospel of John Part 3 Chapters 12 through 17 will continue shortly. Please tune in again and thank you for reading!

Please see the Gospel of John Part 1 here.