A S I N N E R M E E T S T H E

S AV I O U R

Encounters with Jesus in the Gospel of John

F. Wayne Mac Leod

Light To My Path Book Distribution

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise specified, are taken from the New International Version of

CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright
Preface
- The Apostle John
- John the Baptist
- The Disciples of John the Baptist
- Andrew and Philip
- Nathanael
- The Money Changers
- Nicodemus
- The Samaritan Woman
- The Nobleman
- The Man at the Pool
- The Boy Who Fed Five Thousand
- The Crowd and the Bread of Life
- The Adulterous Woman
- The Man Born Blind
- The Pharisees and the Death of Lazarus
- Mary and Judas
- Simon Peter
- Pilate

19 - Conclusion

About The Author

“I

PREFACE

have come that they may have life, and have it to the full,” Jesus

said in John 10:10. Men and women flocked to Jesus to hear

Him preach. Jesus touched their lives during His brief stay on

earth. He touched the rich and the poor, the sinner and the religious person,

the sick and the healthy. His great desire was that they have an abundant

and full life.

Many years have passed since Jesus rose from the dead. People all around

the world are still meeting Him today. Countless lives have been changed.

The purpose of this study, is to examine a variety of encounters between

Jesus and ordinary people as recorded for us in the Gospel of John. It is my

desire that the reader will gain a new appreciation of what it means to meet

and follow after the Lord Jesus. May this book serve as a means of

introducing many to this great Saviour.

F. Wayne Mac Leod

1 - THE APOSTLE JOHN

When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee

and his brother John in a boat preparing their nets. Without

delay he called them and they left their father Zebedee in the

boat with the hired men and followed him. (Mark 1:19-20)

efore we begin this series of reflections on the Gospel of John it

may be helpful to learn something about the author. The author of

the Gospel of John was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. He

was a fisherman by trade (Mark 1:19-20). John would develop a very close

relationship to Jesus. In fact on several occasions he was referred to as "the

disciple whom Jesus loved" (see John 13:23; 19:26; 21:7) He was among

the few apostles to see the resurrection of Jairus' daughter from the dead

(Mark 5:37). He was with Jesus on the mountain when he saw Jesus

gloriously transfigured (Mark 9:2). He was also in the Garden of

Gethsemane with Jesus before His crucifixion (Mark 14:33). When Jesus

was on the cross, He gave John the responsibility of caring for Mary His

mother (John 19:27). After the ascension of Jesus, John became a co-

worker with the apostle Peter in spreading the gospel. It was also to this

beloved disciple that the risen Jesus revealed the future. John is the author

of the book of Revelation. He also wrote the first, second and third epistles

of John.

What did it mean for this man to meet the Saviour? When John met the

Lord Jesus he was in a fishing boat. Jesus was walking beside the Sea of

Galilee when He saw John fishing. Jesus called out to him. The Bible tells

us that when John heard the call of Jesus to follow, he did two things.

First, John responded immediately. Jesus expected nothing less of him that

day. Later in His ministry Jesus called another man to follow Him. That

man responded by saying: "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."

(Matthew 8:21). "Jesus," he was saying, "I'm willing to follow you but you

caught me at a bad time. I've got a few things to attend to and then I'll come

and follow you." Jesus told that man: "Follow me, and let the dead bury

their own dead." (Matthew 8:22).

When Jesus calls, He expects us to respond immediately. How often have

men and women put off their decision to follow Jesus until later only to find

out that later never came. In Luke 12:16-20 Jesus told a story about a rich

man who put off a decision because his business was booming. He decided

he would first build larger barns to store his wealth and then lay back and

take it easy. He would have time to make things right later. Jesus called him

a fool because that very night he would die. He would die before he could

enjoy his wealth. More importantly, however, he would die without making

himself right with God.

The writer of Hebrews pleads with his readers in Hebrews 3:15: "Today, if

you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion."

None of us are guaranteed tomorrow. When the Lord knocks at the door of

your heart, don’t put Him off. Open your heart immediately. Now is the

only time you know you have. When Jesus called, John responded

immediately.

Second, when Jesus called, John left everything behind (Mark 1:20). John

did not run home to pack his bags. He did not drag his net behind him as he

followed after Jesus. John dropped everything. He left his job and he left his

family.

Notice that Jesus does not offer any apologies to John for making him leave

everything. No apology was necessary. Jesus was offering him something of

far greater value than John already had. You do not apologize for delivering

a slave from a cruel master. You do not apologize for delivering a poor man

from his poverty. You do not apologize for taking a fisherman and making

him a fisher of men.

John responded immediately, and he dropped everything he had to follow

after Jesus. What does Jesus expect from us? He expects that when He calls,

we will not delay in responding to that call. He expects that we will not put

Him off until later. He expects that we drop everything to follow Him. He

makes no apologies for this for He offers us something of far greater value.

Will you come to Him under these conditions?

For Consideration:

What things keep you from making an immediate decision for the Lord

Jesus?

Are there any things in your life that you would have problem leaving to

follow the Lord Jesus?

Can anything be considered a sacrifice if we receive far more by giving it

up than keeping it?

What do you gain by following Jesus? What do you really lose?

For Prayer:

Ask the Lord to help you to deal with any obstacles that keep you from

following Jesus today.

Thank the Lord that He promises to give you far more than you could ever

give up for Him.

Ask the Lord to give you a heart that will follow Him like John.

2 - JOHN THE BAPTIST

There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John.

He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that

through him all men might believe. (John 1:6-7)

he first person we meet in the gospel of John is John the Baptist

(see John 1:6-9). John's father was a priest by the name of

Zechariah. Zechariah's wife, Elizabeth could not have children.

This was a source of much pain for Zechariah. He pleaded with the Lord for

a child. One day, as he was exercising his priestly duties, an angel of the

Lord appeared to him with an important message.

But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your

prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,

and you are to give him the name John. (Luke 1:13)

Shortly after these events, Elizabeth conceived. When she was six months

into her pregnancy, Mary the mother of Jesus, who was herself pregnant

with our Lord, went to visit her. The Bible tells us that when Elizabeth

heard the greeting of Mary, the child (John), leapt for joy in her womb.

What a strange encounter this was.

The Bible does not tell us anything about John's childhood. We do know

that when he was old enough, he went to live in the desert. In those days

there were religious groups who chose to live in the desert away from the

polluting influence of common society. They spent their time cultivating

their relationship with God. It is possible that John joined one of these

groups. If this is the case, we see that, even as a young man, John was

aware of a call of God on his life. He chose not to find a secular job like the

rest of his friends. He gave his whole life to the pursuit of God.

While the apostle John met the Saviour as an adult, John the Baptist met

him as a child. There are many important decisions made during childhood.

We ought never to under estimate a child's understanding of spiritual

matters. A person does not have to wait until he or she is older to meet the

Lord Jesus. John is an example of a young child who dedicated his life to

Christ.

The example of John the Baptist clearly shows us that, even as a child, he

understood enough to commit his heart and life to the Lord. How beautiful

it is to see a child give his or her life to the Lord. So many of us wait until

we are older and thus throw away 20, 30, 40, or more years of life lived for

ourselves.

Jesus began his ministry at the age of thirty. He died just a few years later.

John the Baptist was the same age as our Lord. It was during the ministry of

Christ that Herod beheaded John. John the Baptist likely died at the age of

32 or 33. John could not have waited until he was 35 or 40 to give his life to

the Lord. John accepted the Lord as a child and lived the few years he had

for the glory of his God.

What did it mean for John the Baptist to meet the Saviour? It meant giving

Him his entire life. It was not a long life but it was lived for the Lord. How

about you? How many years are left? Why not gave what remains to the

Lord?

For Consideration:

How old do you think a person needs to be to come to an understanding of

salvation?

How many years did it take for you to come to know the Lord Jesus?

Why is it important for us to accept the Lord at an early age? How many

years are we really guaranteed?

Do you know the Lord as your Saviour today? Have you been living your

life for His glory?

For Prayer:

Thank that Lord that even children can be saved from their sin and have a

relationship with the Saviour?

Ask the Lord to help you to use the time that remains for His glory.

Take a moment to pray for the children you have contact with today. Ask

God to reveal Himself to them so that they can know Him as their Saviour.

Ask God to forgive us for making salvation so complicated. Thank Him for

the simplicity of childlike trust in God for salvation.

3 - THE DISCIPLES OF

JOHN THE BAPTIST

The next day John was there again with two of his disciples.

When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of

God.” When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed

Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked,

“What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means

Teacher), “where are you staying?” “Come,” he replied, “and

you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and

spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour. (John

1:35-39)

e have seen what it meant for John the Baptist to meet the

Saviour. John had a group of disciples who followed him and

assisted him in his ministry. On one occasion, John saw the

Lord Jesus passing by and said to his disciples: “Look, the Lamb of God”

(John 1:36). When the disciples heard this they left John to follow the Lord

(John 1:37).

Later, in John 3, we read that some of John's disciples came to him with

what they perceived to be a real problem:

They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was

with you on the other side of the Jordan-the one you testified

about--well, he is baptizing, and every-one is going to him.

These disciples were not sure how to handle the fact that people were

leaving their little group to follow Jesus. They saw Jesus as a threat. Both

Jesus and John were baptizing and preaching but people were flocking to

Jesus. John's popularity was being overshadowed. John had no problem

with this. “He must become greater; I must become less,” John told his

disciples (John 3:30). John's disciples, however, did not see things in this

light. They were comfortable in their little group and resented anything that

would threaten to break them apart.

Many years later in Ephesus, we meet another group of John's disciples.

Paul asked them if they had received the Holy Spirit when they believed

(Acts 19:2). John’s disciples replied: “No, we have not even heard that there

is a Holy Spirit” (Acts 19:2). These disciples were missing a very important

Christian teaching. Their understanding of the Christian life was

inadequate. Paul taught them about the ministry of the Holy Spirit and that

day these twelve disciples were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus and

became His followers too.

What did it mean for the disciples of John to meet the Saviour? It meant

that they had to be willing to leave their little group. John was a good and

respected man of God. He was a good preacher of the Word. His disciple's

understanding of the truth, however, was limited.

If John’s disciples were to grow in their relationship with God, they would

need to associate with the disciples of Christ. For some this meant leaving

their group to join another. They came to realize that their spiritual walk

was more important than their little group.

Maybe you have been part of a church for many years and have never

grown in your personal relationship with God. Maybe you have not grown

in your understanding of the teaching of the Word of God. When the

disciples of John met the Saviour, they realized that they needed to join

with those who were more closely following Him. There they could be

encouraged and grow in the truth of the Word of God. Those who remained,

many years later still had not grown in their understanding of the key truths

of the faith.

When we meet the Saviour, we too will need to examine whether we are

part of a fellowship that correctly preaches and teaches the Word of God.

Our relationship with God and our growth in Him is of utmost importance.

John’s disciples were so hungry for Christ and the truth of His Word that

they were willing even to leave their own fellowship to find a place where

they could learn more and grow in their faith.

For Consideration:

Is your church preaching the truth? Has it been an encouragement to you in

your growth in Christ?

How important is it to you that you grow in your relationship with God?

What stands in the way of your spiritual growth today?

What would you be willing to do today to grow in your relationship with

God and your understanding of the truth of His Word?

For Prayer:

If your church has been an encouragement to your spiritual growth, take a

moment to thank the Lord for its members and leaders.

If you are not part of a church that has been helping you to grow spiritually,

ask the Lord to bring people into your life that will encourage you and teach

you in the ways of Christ.

4 - ANDREW AND PHILIP

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard

what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing

Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We

have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought

him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son

of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is

Peter). The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding

Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” Philip, like Andrew and

Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael

and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the

Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote–Jesus of

Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nazareth! Can anything good

come from there? Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said

Philip.

ne of John the Baptist's disciples was a man by the name of

Andrew. When John introduced him to Jesus, Andrew left John

to follow Christ (John 1:40). Andrew's brother was Simon Peter.

Both were simple fishermen.

After leaving John the Baptist, Andrew spent time speaking with the Lord.

If there were any doubts about Jesus when he first left his former teacher,

there were none after having met and spoken with Jesus. Andrew believed

with all his heart that Jesus was the Messiah that was to come.

What did it mean for Andrew to meet that Saviour? The Bible tells us that

Andrew went to find his brother Simon Peter. He wanted to tell him what he

had found. We read in John 1:41: "The first thing Andrew did was to find

his brother Simon and tell him: ‘We have found the Messiah.’” Andrew had

just made the greatest discovery of his life. He had found the Saviour of the

world. What is the most natural thing in the world to do when you make an

important discovery? Do you not want to share it with others? Andrew went

to his own brother first. The hardest people to speak to about the Lord are

often the members of our family. When Andrew met the Saviour, he felt

compelled to go to his own family and share his discovery with them.

The next day Jesus met another man by the name of Philip (John 1:43). We

know very little about Philip. When Philip met Jesus, his reaction was very

similar to that of Andrew. He went and found a friend to tell about his

meeting with Jesus. Philip found Nathanael and said to him:

We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and

about whom the prophets also wrote–Jesus of Nazareth, the son

of Joseph. (John 1:45)

Both of these men responded in a similar way. They felt compelled to share

their discovery with their friends and loved ones. When you meet the

Saviour you too will have a desire to share your faith in him with others.

Like a young person who meets the love of his or her life, you want to talk

about the Lord to your friends and loved ones. It is hard not to talk to others

about your new-found relationship with the Lord. You invite them to come

and meet your Saviour. You bubble over with excitement and enthusiasm

for the one you love.

Andrew and Philip did what was only natural for them to do. They shared

their discovery with their loved ones. When you meet the Saviour, you too

will have a natural desire in your heart to share Him with others.

For Consideration:

Do you know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour today? Do you have a desire

to talk about Him with others?

What do you suppose keeps us from sharing the wonderful news of our

Saviour with others?

Consider what we have examined in this meditation about Andrew and

Philip. Was their relationship with Jesus merely an intellectual one? How do

you account for the excitement they seem to have in their heart about Jesus?

Do you have this excitement?

For Prayer:

Ask the Lord to give you a greater desire to share Him with others.

Ask the Lord to give you a real excitement in your heart about the Lord

Jesus and what He has done for you.

5 - NATHANAEL

Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one

Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets

also wrote–Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” “Nazareth!

Can anything good come from there? Nathanael asked. “Come

and see,” said Philip. When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching,

he said of him, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is

nothing false.” “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig

tree before Philip called you.” Than Nathanael declared,

“Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.

(John 1:45-49)

e saw in the last meditation that when Philip met the Lord, he

went to Nathanael with the good news. Nathanael's initial

response left much to be desired. He said: "can any good thing

come out of Nazareth?" (John 1:46).

Nathanael had his opinions about Nazareth and the people who came from

such a town. In his mind, there was nothing good about Nazareth or anyone

who lived there. When Philip came to him and told him about Jesus of

Nazareth, Nathanael was very sceptical. Philip encouraged him, however, to

come to see for himself.

As Nathanael went to meet Jesus, he had already judged Him. Maybe you

are like Nathanael. You have heard about these people who follow Jesus.

They are always going to church meetings. They are sometimes fanatical

about their faith. They go around telling others about Jesus. They read their

Bibles all the time. Like Nathanael, you are sceptical about associating with

this kind of person.

In spite of his prejudices, Nathanael went with Philip to meet the Lord

Jesus. When Jesus saw him coming He said to him: “Here is a true Israelite,

in whom there is nothing false” (John 1:47) It is unclear what Jesus was

saying to Nathanael, but his words show us that He knew all about him.

Nathanael was taken back by such a direct approach. “How do you know

me?” he asked Jesus in John 1:48. Jesus’ response shattered Nathanael: “I

saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you,”

Jesus told him.

Humanly speaking, it was impossible for Jesus to have known that

Nathanael was under that fig tree. Here before Nathanael was a man who

knew the deepest thoughts of his heart. We are not sure what Nathanael was

doing under that fig tree, but Jesus knew. Nathanael's prejudices were

shattered. He cried out: "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of

Israel” (John 1:49). Those simple words from Jesus to Nathanael that day

convinced him forever that Jesus was the Son of God and the divine King

of Israel, the Messiah. Nathanael left Jesus a changed man. He came as an

unbeliever. He left as a believer.

What did it mean for Nathanael to meet the Saviour? It meant a shattering

of his prejudices and preconceived ideas. It meant joining up with the man

of Nazareth (the town he hated). Nathanael had been wrong about Jesus.

Meeting Jesus that day he had to admit his error. He embraced the man of

Nazareth.

Maybe you are in the position of Nathanael. You have your own ideas about

Jesus and what it means to follow Him. Could it be that those ideas are

false? Nathanael's ideas were shattered when he accepted the invitation to

come and meet Jesus for himself. May you have the courage of Nathanael

to approach the “man of Nazareth” and meet him for yourself.

For Consideration:

What impressions have Christians given you about what it means to follow

Jesus?

Have you ever been “turned off” by a believer in Jesus Christ? Explain.

Are Christians always a true reflection of Christ and His character?

For Prayer:

Thank the Lord that while His followers have not always been good

examples of His character, He remains faithful and good.

Ask the Lord to help you to be a Christian that reflects well His character to

others.

Ask the Lord to strip away any prejudices or preconceived notions you

have. Ask Him to reveal Himself clearly and personally to you.

6 - THE MONEY

CHANGERS

When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up

to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found men selling cattle,

sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money.

So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple

area, both sheep and cattle, he scattered the coins of the money

changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves

he said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s

house into a market!” (John 2:13-16)

or the Jew, the Passover was a very important festival. It

commemorated the day when the angel of the death “passed over”

the land of Egypt. On that day, the angel killed the first-born child

in every home. Only the homes that had the blood of a lamb painted on the

door posts were saved from this terrible judgment of God. The Passover

was a day when Jews came to Jerusalem from faraway places. There in

Jerusalem they would offer sacrifices of thanksgiving to their God.

The long journey was hard on the animals. Many chose to leave their

animals at home and buy what they needed for their sacrifices when they

arrived in Jerusalem. They came with currency from many different

countries. This currency needed to be exchanged into local currency to

purchase their animals for sacrifice.

It was here that the money changers came into the picture. They offered a

valuable service to Jews coming with foreign money. The problem was that

the money changers often took advantage of their brothers and sisters. The

exchange of money became big business. The animal sellers got into the act

as well. The temple area was filled with merchants, sheep and cattle.

Jesus arrived at the temple that day and looked over the scene before Him.

This was the temple of the Lord God. The occasion was a solemn

celebration in honour of the God who had delivered His people from Egypt.

The more Jesus looked at the scene, the angrier He became. He saw a

marketplace not a temple. He saw people whose intent was to make money

at the expense of their brothers and sisters. He saw the cheating and the

fraud. Passover had lost its meaning. It had turned into a day for making

money. All this was being done in the name of His heavenly Father.

Nowhere else in the gospels do we see Jesus respond with such anger. That

day, Jesus made a whip from cords He found in the temple. With His whip

in hand, Jesus drove the money changers and the animals out of the temple

shouting: “Get out of here! How dare you turn My Father's house into a

market!” (John 2:16).

What did it mean for the money changers to meet the Saviour? When they

met the Saviour, they came face to face with one who exposed their

hypocrisy and evil ways. They fell under His judgment. They were a

religious people offering a service to their brothers, but Jesus saw beyond

their outward actions to the inward attitude of their heart.

I dare say there are church goers today in the same situation as these money

changers. Maybe they are elders or deacons in their local church. Maybe

they sing in the choir. Maybe they teach Sunday school or work with the

youth. They serve the Lord but are not right with Him. In all of Scripture

never was the Lord as angry as when he met those who claimed to serve

God but in reality, lived for themselves.

The encounter of Jesus with the money changers was not a pleasant one.

Jesus was not fooled by their religious exterior. There is nothing we can

hide from the Lord Jesus. For the money changers, meeting Jesus meant

coming under His judgment. It meant exposing their hidden intentions and

motives. Meeting the Lord Jesus is not something to take lightly. When we

come to Him we must be ready for Him to expose whatever brings

dishonour to His Father. Will you come to Him under these conditions?

For Consideration:

Did the money changers and sellers of animals perform a necessary service

for Jews coming from a great distance? Why was Jesus angry with them?

Is it possible for us to serve in a church and not be in a right relationship

with God? What does it mean to be in a good relationship with God?

What can we really hide from the Lord?

Take a moment to examine your relationship with the Lord today? Does it

consist merely of external rituals or does it come sincerely from the heart?

What is hypocrisy? Why does hypocrisy displease God?

Are you ready personally for the Lord to expose anything in you that brings

dishonour to His name?

For Prayer:

Ask the Lord to examine your inner motives in serving Him. Ask Him to

expose anything that does not bring honour to His name.

Thank the Lord that while He is a God who is angered by hypocrisy and

sin, He is still a God of compassion and grace toward those who come to

Him in sincerity.

7 - NICODEMUS

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a

member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night

and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come

from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you

are doing if God were not with him.” In reply Jesus declared,

“I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless

he is born again.” (John 3:1-3)

n John 3 we meet a man by the name of Nicodemus. He was a

Pharisee. As a Pharisee, he was a religious person. He carefully

observed the Law of Moses. Few people in Israel lived up to the high

standards of the Pharisees.

We learn something else about Nicodemus. In John 3:2 he says to Jesus:

“Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God.

For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if

God were not with him.”

What he had seen Jesus do proved to Nicodemus that Jesus exercised His

ministry in the power of God and under His authority. Nicodemus believed

that Jesus was from God.

There is one more thing we need to say about Nicodemus. Notice that he

came to Jesus at night. The Pharisees did not like Jesus because He exposed

their hypocrisy. Nicodemus however, despite what his fellow Pharisees

said, came to Jesus to learn more. He appeared to be a man who was

searching for a deeper understanding of the truth Jesus taught.

What more could we ask for in a man of God? Here was a man who lived a

good life. He was a careful observer of the Law of God. He believed Jesus

was from God. This was clear from the works he had seen Jesus do. Finally,

he was willing to listen to Jesus and had a hunger for the truth He taught.

When Nicodemus approached Jesus in John 3, however, the first thing Jesus

said to him was this: “I tell you the truth; no one can see the kingdom of

God unless he is born again” (John 3:3).

Nicodemus did not understand what Jesus was telling him. Jesus was telling

him however that all his good works and careful observation of the Law of

God was not enough to get him to heaven? He did well to believe that Jesus

was from God but even that would not get him into heaven. Unless he was

born again Nicodemus would never see the kingdom of heaven.

Nicodemus had never heard this teaching before. He asked Jesus what He

meant. Jesus told him that no one could enter heaven unless they

experienced a spiritual birth. We come into this physical world by means of

a physical birth. Jesus was teaching Nicodemus that he would have to

experience a spiritual birth to enter heaven.

For spiritual birth to take place the Spirit of God must come to live in our

lives. This is only possible through the forgiveness of sins. The Lord Jesus

forgives our sin by paying our debt on the cross. This opens the doors for

His Spirit to come to live in our lives. When God's Spirit comes, He gives

us a whole new life. Those who know the presence of the Spirit of God are

changed. The apostle Paul put it this way in 2 Corinthians 5:17:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old

has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Nicodemus knew nothing about this spiritual birth or the life of God’s Spirit

in him.

What did it mean for Nicodemus to meet that Saviour? It meant coming to

grips with the fact that, if he was going to get to heaven, it would not be on

the basis of his good life and beliefs. If he was going to see the kingdom of

God, he needed to be born spiritually into the family of God.

Have you experienced this new birth? This is an important question. “No

one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again” (John 3.3). Be

careful how you answer this question. Those who have been born again are

new people. This is not something they can do for themselves. You did not

have anything to do with your physical birth nor can you be born again

spiritually by your own efforts. It is a work of God as He comes to endwell

our lives.

Nicodemus was a good man but he would not see the kingdom of God. God

reserves his kingdom for His children only. No one else will enter His

kingdom. You do not become a child of God by your physical birth. You do

not become a child of God by trying to make yourself acceptable in His

sight. You become a child of God through a miraculous and gracious work

of God who reaches down to us and plants His life in us.

What did it mean for Nicodemus to meet the Saviour? It meant coming face

to face with the fact that salvation had nothing to do with his own efforts

and beliefs. It meant facing the reality that unless a miracle of God took

place in him, he would never see the kingdom of God. It meant facing the

reality that salvation was not about what he did for God but about what God

did for him.

For Consideration:

Why is it so difficult for us to accept the fact that salvation is not about

what we do for God but about what He does in us?

What views are there in our day about how we can get to heaven? What

does Jesus tell Nicodemus here is the only way to get to heaven?

What does it mean to be born again? Can you be a good living person,

believe in Jesus and still not be born again?

How can a person know if they are born again? What evidence should there

be in our lives?

For Prayer:

Ask the Lord to show you today in what or in whom you are trusting for

your salvation.

Put aside all confidence in your good works and beliefs and call out to the

Lord God to save you.

Ask the Lord Jesus to forgive and cleanse you from your sin and place His

Spirit in you. Ask Him to make you his child.

If you know Him today, take a moment to thank the Lord for the evidence

of His life in you.

8 - THE SAMARITAN

WOMAN

Now he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in

Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given

to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he

was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the

sixth hour. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water,

Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples

had gone into the town to buy food.) The Samaritan woman

said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How

can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with

Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God

and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked

him and he would have given you living water.” (John 4:4-10)

n John 4, Jesus met a woman at a well in Samaria. The Samaritans

were enemies of the Jews. So great was the hatred between these two

nations that the Jews refused to pass through their territory.

Jesus chose to pass through Samaria on His way to Galilee. Being weary, he

rested by a well. The disciples went into the village to buy food. As Jesus

rested, a woman came to the well to draw water. We discover four things

about her in this passage.

First, this woman was a Samaritan. The average Jew would have walked

away when he saw a Samaritan approach. Jesus stayed by the well.

Second, she was a woman. Note the reaction of the disciples when they

return from the village:

Just then the disciples returned and were surprised to find him

talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?”

or “Why are you talking to her. (John 4:27)

The average Jew would not have been alone with a woman in this situation.

The disciples are surprised to see Jesus sitting by the well speaking with

her.

Third, we understand in John 4.18, that this woman had five husbands and

the man she was living with was not her husband. Despite her lifestyle,

Jesus still took time to speak to her.

We learn finally that the Samaritan woman was somewhat argumentative.

When she discovered that Jesus was a prophet, she tried to engage him in a

religious debate. She brought up an issue that had long time been debated

between the Jew and the Samaritan concerning the proper place to worship.

Jesus is not distracted by her argumentative spirit.

We do not know why the Samaritan woman had so many husbands. Was it

because they all died? The chances of all five dying are very slim. Did they

divorce her? Was it because of her loose living or her argumentative spirit

that they left her? The Bible does not give us the answers to these questions.

We see before us, however, a woman with problems. Did Jesus felt

compelled to come to Samaria to bring comfort to her troubled soul?

Here was a woman the average Jew would have avoided at all costs. Her

life left much to be desired. What did it mean for the Samaritan woman to

meet the Saviour? It meant that she found acceptance. She had been cast

aside by many people. She had gone through five husbands. The Jews

rejected her. In this man Jesus, however, she was accepted.

This woman was so touched by this encounter with Jesus that she ran into

town to speak to her friends. “Come, see a man who told me everything I

ever did,” she said. “Could this be the Christ?” People from all over the

town came to meet Jesus that day. Many believed and accepted Him

because of what the woman had told them.

The Samaritan woman at the well was in many ways an outcast. She had

problems with men and problems with the Jews. She was not proud of her

life. She was surprised that Jesus would even speak to her. Maybe you can

identify with this woman. You may not be proud of your past either. You

may have been let down and rejected by many people. This woman found

acceptance in Jesus. Jesus looked beyond her sins and her situation and

invited her to drink of the living water that would satisfy the deep longing

of her soul. She found in Him everything her heart had been longing for.

Jesus will do the same for you today.

For Consideration:

What do we know about the Samaritan woman Jesus met that day? Are

there people comparable to this in your society?

Do we have to be good to be accepted by the Lord?

Have you found acceptance in the Lord Jesus? Have you accepted those

around you who are “unlovely” and “unacceptable?

For Prayer:

Thank the Lord that He reaches out and accepts us just as we are.

Ask the Lord to open your heart more to those around you who are outcasts

in our society.

Ask the Lord to help you to show love and compassion to people like this

woman in your society.

9 - THE NOBLEMAN

Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the

water into wine, and there was a certain royal official whose

son lay sick at Capernaum. When this man heard that Jesus had

arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him

to come and heal his son, who was close to death. Unless you

people see miraculous signs and wonders,” Jesus told him,

“you will never believe.” The royal official said, “Sir come

down before my child dies,” Jesus replied, “You may go. Your

son will live.” The man took Jesus at his word and departed.

While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the

news that his boy was living. (John 4: 46-51)

fter His time in Samaria, Jesus went on to Galilee. In Cana of

Galilee, He met a nobleman. This nobleman had heard about the

miracles of Jesus. He had a son who was on his deathbed. When

he heard that Jesus was in Galilee, the nobleman asked Jesus to come to his

place and heal his son.

Maybe in his mind's eye he had an image of Jesus standing by his son’s bed.

Perhaps Jesus would offer a great prayer and touch his son. His son would

rise out of his bed to the amazement of all the onlookers. What a joyous

celebration would follow. Maybe the nobleman would have called together

all his friends and relatives to celebrate the occasion. Maybe he would have

hosted a great feast in honour of Jesus who had healed his son. What a

happy occasion this would be. There would be laughter, merriment and joy.

While the Bible does not describe for us the nobleman's idea of what would

happen that day, it is clear from the context that he expected a great sign or

wonder. Jesus’ response to him in John 4:48 is a clear indication of this fact:

“Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders,” Jesus

told him, “you will never believe.”

In response to the nobleman’s request Jesus simply said: “You may go.

Your son will live” (John 4.50). Jesus did not go with the nobleman. He

simply told him to go home. His son would live. There was no thunderbolt

from heaven. There was no laying on of hands. There was no prayer offered

up for his son. Jesus did not even go to see his son. All the nobleman had

was the word of Jesus, "You may go. Your son will live" (John 4:50). He

could have returned home a discouraged man.

The Bible tells us that the nobleman however “took Jesus at His word and

departed” (John 4:50). As he returned, he was met by one of his servants

with the news that his son had been healed. When he inquiring about the

time of his son's healing, the nobleman discovered that it was at the precise

moment that Jesus told him to go home. The word of the Lord was

sufficient to bring healing.

What did it mean for the nobleman to meet the Saviour? It meant that he

had to take Him at his word. Jesus gave him His word and that was enough.

Some people are waiting for a big sign or miracle before they believe.

There will be no thunderbolt from heaven. There will be no sign. God has

spoken and this is enough. Will we take Him at His word like the nobleman

and be healed or will you wait for a sign that may never come and perish?

For Consideration:

Have you ever missed out on what the Lord Jesus was doing because it was

not what you expected?

Why do you suppose we need signs and wonders to prove that what Jesus

says is true?

Consider that the world as we know it was brought into existence by the

word of the Lord. Is His word enough for you to believe today?

For Prayer:

Ask the Lord to forgive you for the times you failed to take Him at His

word. Thank Him that His word is true.

Ask the Lord to help you to trust His word. Ask Him to give you grace to

be more willing to step out in His promises.

10 - THE MAN AT THE

POOL

Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in

Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five

covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people

used to lay--the blind, the lame, and the paralyzed. One who

was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When

Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this

condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get

well?” “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into

the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in,

someone else goes down ahead of me.” Then Jesus said to him,

“Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was

cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this

took place was the Sabbath. (John 5:2-9)

n Jerusalem one day, Jesus passed by the pool of Bethesda. This pool

was a gathering place for the infirmed, the crippled, and the paralyzed.

They believed that, at a certain time, an angel would come down and

stir up the waters. The first person into the pool would be healed.

Jesus met a man at the pool that day. He had been an invalid for 38 years.

When the angel stirred up the waters, this man was not able to get into the

pool. Someone else always got there before him. He needed someone to

help him. There was nobody there for him. Maybe he had no family.

Perhaps his family had abandoned him. His friends were not there for him

either. He was a lonely man in need of help.

The pool of Bethesda was his only hope. He waited at the pool hoping that

somehow he would be healed. When he met Jesus that day, there was no

exchanging of names. They engaged in a simple conversation. Jesus asked

him if he wanted to get well. The man responded: “I have no one to help me

into the pool when the water is stirred.” (John 5:7). Was there in this

statement a gentle pleading for help? Would this stranger be kind enough to

pick him up and carry him to the pool?

Jesus had compassion on the invalid that day. He told him to take up his bed

and walk. Immediately, the man felt his strength renewed. He stood up,

picked up his mat and walked. In his astonishment and joy, he failed to see

that Jesus had left him. He had not even asked Him His name.

When the Jews asked him who it was that had healed him in John 5:12, the

invalid had to admit that he did not know His name. Only when Jesus

appeared again to him in the temple, did the man recognize Him.

That invalid had to admit before the people of his day that he did not know

the man who had healed him. How humbling that would have been. For

thirty-eight years he lay on a mat not able to walk. A stranger gave him the

gift of wholeness. He did not even ask the stranger His name.

Do you know the One who gave you life? You owe your life and breath to

this Creator God. Everything you have or ever will have is a gift from His

hands. Your health, your job, your family, your home are all blessings from

Him. Do you know him?

What a tragedy it would be to go through life never personally knowing this

God. Are you like the man at the pool? You have received life from a

stranger. That stranger came and died that you might be forgiven of your

sins. Do you know this Stranger? Have you ever committed yourself to

finding Him? It is not too late. Will you make it your priority to know him?

For Consideration:

Have you ever felt like this invalid at the pool of Bethesda, hurting and

alone? Explain.

Why do you suppose Jesus singled out this one man among all those who

were at the pool that day?

What has the Lord God done for you?

How well do you know the Lord Jesus today? How important is it for us to

know Him today?

For Prayer:

Ask the Lord to help you to reach out to those who are hurting and suffering

like this invalid at the pool.

Thank the Lord for what He has done for you and for the good things He

has given you.

Ask the Lord to help you to get to know Him more. Thank Him that He

wants us to know Him more.

11 - THE BOY WHO FED

FIVE THOUSAND

When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward

him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these

people to eat?” He asked this to test him, for he already had in

mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Eight

months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to

have a bite!” Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s

brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves

and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

esus' fame had spread throughout the land. People were coming from

all over to hear Him preach. Many came with the sick and infirmed to

have Jesus heal them. On this occasion, a crowd of five thousand

people gathered around Jesus.

Jesus knew the crowd was weary. They may have been with Him for some

time. They needed to eat to renew their strength. Jesus asked Philip:

“Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?”

The disciples were not rich men. They had left everything to follow Jesus.

They did not have the money necessary to buy food for such a crowd. Philip

replied, “Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to

have a bite.” (John 6:7). In his mind it was impossible to feed such a crowd

on the money they had available to them.

Maybe Andrew heard what Jesus had said to Philip. He began to inquire

among the crowd to see if anyone had brought food. If those who brought

food could share it, maybe there would be enough to go around. Andrew's

search revealed only a little boy with five loaves and two small fish. He

reported this to Jesus.

Jesus asked the people to be seated. Taking the little boy's lunch, He gave

thanks and broke it. He then called His disciples to distribute the pieces He

had broken. They served the bread and the fish to the crowd. Each time

someone reached into the basket their hand came up full. Five thousand

people were fed that day. Twelve baskets remained when everyone had

finished eating. The people were astonished at this great miracle of God.

This miracle took place thanks to a little boy's lunch.

What did it mean for this little boy to meet the Saviour? It meant that he

had to learn that Jesus was interested in his loaves and fishes. It meant

learning that when he offered whatever he had the Lord was able and

willing to do great things with it. Of all the people that Jesus could have

used that day, he chose a little boy. We do not even know the name of this

youngster. We have no record of ever meeting him again. The little he had

he surrendered to the Lord and the Lord was pleased to bless. Five thousand

people were fed thanks to his little lunch.

You may not feel like you have much to offer the Lord. You may feel

insignificant. Jesus is interested in you just the same. He can take the most

insignificant people and do significant things through them. There were five

thousand people in the crowd that day. Jesus put His finger on one little boy.

Maybe He is pointing His finger at you today as well. Maybe He is calling

you to surrender what you have to Him. Will you listen to His voice? Like

the little boy, will you surrender to Him the little you have? He will do great

things with what you give to Him.

For Consideration:

Have you ever felt unworthy or inadequate? What does this passage teach

us about the kind of people the Lord can use?

What holds you back from offering what you have to the Lord and his

service?

Why do you suppose we feel that the Lord needs important and educated

people for His kingdom? What is God really looking for in a person He

wants to use?

For Prayer:

Thank the Lord that while we are unworthy and inadequate He is willing

and able to use us just as we are.

Take a moment now to offer yourself afresh to the Lord God. Ask Him to

show you how He can use what you surrender to Him.

12 - THE CROWD AND

THE BREAD OF LIFE

Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for me,

not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the

loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but

for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will

give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of

approval.” Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the

works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is

this: to believe in the one he has sent.” (John 6:26-29)

fter feeding the five thousand, Jesus crossed the lake of

Capernaum. The next day, the crowd, realizing that Jesus was no

longer among them, went to find Him. They found Him on the

other side of the lake.

Seeing the crowd, Jesus knew their heart. He said to them:

“I tell you the truth; you are looking or me, not because you

saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had

your fill.”(John 6:26)

Jesus knew why the crowd had come searching for Him. They came for

what they could get out of Him. The day before, Jesus had fed them bread

and fish. As long as Jesus had food to offer they would follow Him.

Knowing their heart, Jesus told the crowd not to work for the food that

perished. Instead they were to seek the food that lasted for eternity. This

food was to believe in Him. Physical food would gave them physical life

and strength. Believing in Him as the one sent from God would, however,

give them spiritual life and strength.

The crowd responded by asking Jesus to prove that He really was the One

whom God had sent. They reminded Jesus that God proved Himself to the

people in Moses' day by sending them bread from heaven. Maybe the

people were hungry. Were they suggesting to Jesus that he repeat

yesterday's miracle and give them all something to eat? The idea they were

trying to communicate to Him was that if He did give them something to

eat, it would show them that He really was the Son of God? “Give us some

food and we will.believe you” was in essence what they were saying to

Jesus.

“I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he

who believes in me will never be thirsty,” Jesus told them in John 6:35. The

Bread of heaven was right in front of them but they did not believe. He had

already proved Himself to them by feeding the five thousand just a day

before. Why would they believe if He did another miracle? This statement

caused quite a stir among the disciples. When Jesus refused to show them a

sign, many left Him never to return.

Here was a group of people who were willing to follow Jesus as long as He

filled their bellies. They were only interested in a Jesus who gave them food

and healed their sick. They followed Him for what they could get out of

him.

What did it mean for the crowd to meet the Saviour? It meant that they were

confronted with who Jesus really was. They were challenged to believe in

Him for who He was, not for what they could get out of Him for

themselves.

Why do you come to Jesus today? He is the Son of God. He is the Lord of

lords. He is the King of kings. He is a holy and perfect Saviour. Those who

understand who he is fall down at His feet in worship and praise for who He

is. Standing before the people that day was the very Son of God. The only

concern of the crowd was to know what they were going to get from Him.

If He didn’t give them what they wanted, they were going to leave Him. He

had no value to them apart from what He gave to them. They walked away

from the Son of God because He did not give them bread. They saw Him as

a servant whose only purpose was to meet their every need. What an insult

this was to the Lord Jesus.

Jesus let the crowd go. He did nothing to keep them. He did not want

followers whose only desire was a selfish one. This type of friend is not a

friend at all.

This passage calls us to examine our reasons for coming to Jesus. People

follow Jesus for all kinds of reasons. The crowd that day followed Him only

to be healed and fed. When Jesus refused to give them what they wanted

they walked away. They were not committed to Him. Why do you come to

Jesus today? Do you come because He is the Lord God or do you too come

to be fed?

For Consideration:

Why did the crowd follow after Jesus? What reasons do people have in our

day for following Jesus?

What did Jesus mean when He said that He was the “Bread of Life?”

Who is Jesus to you personally?

Why did Jesus let this crowd go?

For Prayer:

Take a moment to thank the Lord Jesus for who He is and what He has

done.

Ask the Lord to help you to appreciate more fully who He is and what he

had done for your salvation.

Ask the Lord to remove all selfish motives from your heart and teach you to

love Him for who He is.

Ask the Lord to renew in His church a deep sense of awe over Jesus as the

very Son of God.

13 - THE ADULTEROUS

WOMAN

The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman

caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and

said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of

adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such

women. Now what to you say?” They were using the question

as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus

bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.

When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said

to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to

throw a stone at her.” (John 8:3-7)

eople had gathered around Jesus at the temple court to hear Him

teach. Jesus' teaching was interrupted however when the teachers of

the law and the Pharisees burst into the temple area. They had a

woman with them. Those who had been intently listening to Jesus turned to

see what was happening. The group made its way to where Jesus was

teaching. They set the woman in front of the crowd. Every eye likely turned

to her. One man in the group said:

“Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the

Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what to

you say?” (John 8:4)

Perhaps there was a gasp of horror as the crowd looked at the woman. The

attitude in the court may have changed. A spirit of judgment possibly rose

into the air. Did the people prepare themselves to pick up the nearest stone

to throw at her? Adultery could not be tolerated.

As for the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, they were smiling to

themselves. They had been looking for such an opportunity. They hated

Jesus and wanted to cast doubt on His ministry. They knew Jesus was

considered by the crowd to be a friend of sinners. Would he go against the

Law of Moses to protect the life of this woman? If He did, they would

expose Him as a false teacher.

Jesus refused to answer. He knew what these men were doing. They wanted

to trap Him. The Pharisees and teachers of the law continued to question

Jesus demanding an answer. The crowd listened, waiting for His response.

Finally Jesus straightened up and said:

“If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a

stone at her.” (John 8:7)

The woman braced herself to be dragged out of the temple court to be

stoned. Nobody approached her. The crowd looked between her and Jesus.

They looked at one another. One man left. Another followed. One by one

they left until Jesus remained alone with the woman. “Has no one

condemned you,” asked Jesus. “No one, sir” she replied. “Then neither do I

condemn you,” said Jesus, “go now and leave your life of sin” (John 8:11).

Jesus was the only person in the courtyard that day without sin. He alone

could have cast the first stone. He refused to do so, choosing mercy over

judgment.

What did it mean for the adulterous woman to meet the Saviour? It meant

that she was given a new chance to live. The crowd would have stoned her.

In their eyes she did not deserve to live. Jesus was willing to forgive. He

accepted her when everyone else rejected her.

There is no sin too big for Jesus to forgive. Others may hold this sin against

you, but in Jesus there is forgiveness. It does not matter what you have done

in the past. Jesus will accept you when everyone else has turned their backs

on you. You do not have to be good to come to Jesus. You can come just as

you are.

Without Jesus this woman would have lost her life. The greatest thing the

Jewish leaders could have done for her was to bring her to Jesus. He was

her only hope. Jesus is willing to forgive the sins everyone else seems to

remember. In Him you will find great mercy and compassion.

The adulterous woman must have left the presence of Jesus a changed

woman. How could she ever return to her sin again? She owed Jesus her

life. She was forgiven. Let Jesus do the same for you today.

For Consideration:

Have you ever found yourself in the place of the religious leaders of Jesus'

day? What is the difference between how we see sinners and how God sees

them?

Are there sins you find difficult to forgive? Is the Lord willing to forgive

those sins?

What is the connection here between forgiveness and turning away from the

sin for which we have been forgiven? What requirement does Jesus place

on this woman He forgave?

For Prayer:

Thank the Lord that He is willing to forgive you for your sins.

Ask the Lord to give you grace to show mercy and compassion on those

who have sinned against you.

Take a moment to commit yourself to the Lord Jesus. Ask Him to forgive

you for your sins. Receive that forgiveness and walk away from those sins

today.

14 - THE MAN BORN

BLIND

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples

asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he

was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,”

said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be

displayed in his life.” (John 9:1-3)

n their journeys, Jesus and his disciples met a man born blind. As they

passed by, the disciples asked Jesus a question. “Rabbi, who sinned,

this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:2) Jesus told

them that this man’s blindness was not the result of sin in his life or the

lives of his parents.

While this was the very first encounter of Jesus with this man, Jesus knew

all about him. He knew that he was not blind as a result of some private sin.

He knew that this was not an act of judgment on the part of God. “This

happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life,” Jesus told

His disciples (John 9.3).

God had a purpose in the blindness of this man. When he was born, his

parents did not understand why God had given them a blind child. They

may have even been angry or disappointed with God. Maybe they felt like

the disciples, that they were being punished for some secret sin.

Here was a man God wanted to heal. By his healing, many would see the

power and compassion of God at work. The blind man, unknown to

himself, awaited the Lord's timing. That day came. Jesus stood before him.

The Lord made some mud and placed the mixture on the man's eyes. Jesus

then told him to go to the pool of Siloam to wash.

With the mud in his eyes, the blind man made his way to the pool of

Siloam. He washed in the pool as Jesus commanded and was healed. People

were amazed at the work of God in His life. The Pharisees asked him who

had healed him. He told them it was Jesus.

The Pharisees asked him what he thought about Jesus. In John 9:17 he told

them that he believed Jesus to be a great prophet. While this was an

admirable statement, it shows us that this man’s spiritual eyes had not been

opened to the true identity of Jesus who had healed him. Jesus was far more

than a prophet.

The Pharisees told the man that because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath,

He could not possibly be a great prophet. He had to be a sinner. The man

replied, “Whether He is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know,

I was blind but now I see” (John 9:25).

As the conversation between the man and the Pharisees continued, he told

them that he believed Jesus had to be from God. “We know that God does

not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does His will. Nobody

has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not

from God, he could do nothing,” he told the Pharisees (John 9:31-33). With

that statement, the Pharisees became angry. Because he saw Jesus as a man

of God, the Pharisees cast him out of the temple. Being excommunicated

was a terrible shame for a Jew. He was publicly humiliated.

Jesus came to see the man when He heard he had been cast out of the

temple. “Do you believe in the son of Man,” Jesus asked him (John 9:35).

“Who is He, sir?” the man asked (John 9:36). “You have now seen Him; in

fact, He is the one speaking with you,” Jesus responded (John 9:37). When

he heard this, the scales fell from his spiritual eyes. “Lord, I believe,” he

said as he fell down and worshipped Him (John 9:38). That day the man

was completely healed (physically and spiritually). God's purpose had been

finally worked out in his life.

What did it mean for the man born blind to meet the Saviour? It meant that

he received new sight both physically and spiritually. He saw things now in

a completely new light. He had been healed physically but more

importantly, he was spiritually healed. He saw Jesus as he had never seen

Him before. He was more than a prophet. He was more than a worshipper

of God. He was more than a good man sent from God. He was God and

God had reached out and touched him.

What a day that was. To no longer be blind was great; to have seen the Son

of God was far greater. Maybe you too are like this blind man. All your life

you have been blinded to the things of God. Maybe today the Lord Jesus

wants to reach out His hands through this book to touch your spiritual eyes.

Let Him touch you. You will never be the same again.

For Consideration:

What is the difference between physical healing and spiritual healing? Can

we be physically healed and not know the Lord who healed us?

Who is Jesus to you today? Do you know Him as a good teacher, a

worshiper of God or as God?

Which healing is more important, physical or spiritual? Explain

Have your eyes been opened to the Lord Jesus and who He is?

For Prayer:

Ask the Lord to open your eyes to who He is.

If He has already revealed Himself to you ask Him to teach you more.

Take a moment to pray that the Lord would heal the spiritual blindness in

your society. Ask Him to reveal Himself to those around you.

15 - THE PHARISEES

AND THE DEATH OF

LAZARUS

When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus,

come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet

wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus

said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and

had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him. But some of

them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.

Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the

Sanhedrin. “What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here

is this man performing many miraculous signs. If we let him go

on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans

will come and take away both our place and our nation.” (John

11:43-48)

ave you ever met someone whose mind was made up? You can

reason all you want with these people but you will never change

their minds. While evidence proves them wrong, they prefer to

go to the grave wrong rather than admit their mistake. These people usually

become bitter and unreasonable. Some of the Pharisees could be put into

this category.

In John 11 Jesus received word that Lazarus, His friend from Bethany was

very sick. He was asked to come quickly to the side of this dear friend and

heal him. Jesus decided, however to remain where He was ministering for

two more days.

Those two days were crucial for Lazarus. Without Jesus intervention, he

died. After Lazarus died, Jesus told His disciples that it was time to go to

Bethany. By the time they arrived, Lazarus had been in the tomb four days.

Jesus met Lazarus’ sister Martha at the tomb. While she was very glad to

see Him, she made it quite clear to Him that had He come earlier, Lazarus

would not have died (John 11:21). She believed that Jesus could have

healed her brother.

After a brief conversation with Jesus, Martha went home to get her sister

Mary. She told Mary that Jesus had arrived and was looking for her. Mary

rushed to the tomb to see Him. Many Jews followed her.

After a moment of shared grief, Jesus called for the stone that covered the

tomb to be rolled away. Martha objected at first but when Jesus told her she

would see the glory of God, she stood back and watched. The stone

removed, Jesus called out, “Lazarus, come out.” I imagine that all eyes

were glued to the opening. Suddenly a figure appeared wrapped in grave

clothes. Jesus sent someone to unwrap the strips of cloth. As the graves

clothes came off it was clear that this was Lazarus. He was very much alive.

This was the greatest miracle the people had ever seen. They stood in

amazement, not knowing what to say. Many people were convinced that

day that Jesus was the Son of God.

Among the crowd gathered at the tomb were some Pharisees. They too had

seen this great miracle of Jesus. They went back to their fellow Pharisees

and told them what had happened. Notice the response of their brothers to

this great miracle of Jesus in John 11:47-48:

“What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man

performing many miraculous signs. If we let him go on like this,

everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come

and take away both our place and our nation.”

Jesus had just performed a great miracle. A man had been raised from the

dead. Jesus had just demonstrated that He held the power of life in His

hands. The response of the Pharisees was to do all they could to keep any

more people from believing in Him.

The Pharisees remained untouched by the miracle of Jesus. Their minds had

been made up. They wanted nothing to do with Him. Solid evidence of the

deity of Christ had been presented to them but they would have nothing to

do with it. Jesus showed them the facts. They clung to their traditions.

What did it mean for the Pharisees to meet the Saviour? It meant re-

examining their traditions and beliefs. It meant questioning everything they

had been taught. Would they be willing to admit they were wrong about

Jesus when faced with the facts? Many did not have the courage to do so.

They preferred to die in error rather than admit they were wrong. They

chose their traditions and false beliefs over Christ.

I pray that you will consider long and hard the evidence before you in this

book. Will you accept the evidence and claim Him as your Lord and

Saviour?

For Consideration:

Have you ever met people who just won't admit they were wrong?

Is your heart soft enough to be open to the facts presented to you about

Jesus?

Are you willing to face the truth about Jesus?

For Prayer:

Ask the Lord to open your heart to the evidence around you.

Thank the Lord that He is God and that He comes to offer us salvation.

Do you know people who are hardened to the message of Jesus and His

salvation? Ask Him to open the hearts of these people to see Him for who

He really is.

16 - MARY AND JUDAS

Six days before the Passover Jesus arrived at Bethany, where

Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a

dinner was given in Jesus’ honour. Martha served, while

Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then

Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she

poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And

the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. (John

12:1-4)

n the last chapter we examined the story of the resurrection Lazarus.

Sometime later Jesus arrived at Bethany where Lazarus lived. Lazarus'

family decided to offer a special meal in Jesus' honour. Maybe this

was a means of thanking Jesus for what He had done for their dear brother.

What a special meal it must have been. Lazarus owed Jesus his life. They

wanted this evening to be very special. They knew Jesus was no ordinary

person. He was the Son of God. A meal in His honour could not be treated

lightly. Martha, in particular, kept very busy serving the special guests.

Jesus' disciples were also present.

During the course of the evening, Mary came into the room with a bottle of

perfume. This was no ordinary perfume. It was a perfume made from an

imported herb called nard. The bottle Mary held in her hands was very

expensive and represented a year's salary for the average worker. She

opened the bottle in Jesus’ presence and, to the amazement of her guests,

poured its contents on His feet and wiped them dry with her hair. The whole

house was filled with the beautiful fragrance.

Judas Iscariot did not appreciate what Mary had done. “Why wasn’t this

perfume sold and the money given to the poor?” he asked (John 12:5). The

Bible tells us that Judas was not concerned about the poor. As the treasurer,

he had been stealing money and saw here an occasion to enrich himself.

Jesus did not condemn Mary’s action. In fact He defended her before Judas.

This perfume was an expression of Mary's love. She did not hesitate to pour

out a year's salary on His feet. In her mind there was nothing too expensive

for her Lord.

When Mary met the Saviour that day her love for Him compelled her to

offer the greatest gift she could afford. She poured the priceless perfume

over His feet as an expression of her devotion.

What is Jesus worth to you? What sort of price tag can we put on the person

of Christ? We all will admit that Jesus is worth far more than we could ever

estimate. Who among us, however, will take the step Mary took that day?

Who among us will lay down our most valuable possessions at His feet?

Judas, on the other hand, for 20 pieces of silver, was willing to sell Jesus to

the Jews. What did it mean for Mary to meet the Saviour? It meant being

willing to sacrifice her most precious possession. Jesus did not refuse her

gift. He accepted it and the attitude in which it came.

Often we come to the Saviour for what we can get from Him. Mary, on the

other hand, came to offer her gifts to Him. We may not have great wealth or

possessions, but we all have something we can offer the Lord Jesus today.

He calls us to offer up our plans and agendas in life. He calls us to give of

our time and energy. Will you come like Mary offering all that you have?

Mary understood that following the Lord Jesus would cost her something.

She was willing to pay the price. All too many people do not want to pay

the price to following Jesus. Are you willing to pay the cost? It may mean

leaving family, friends and earthly possessions. It may cost you your time

and energy. Will you come to Him like Mary, laying these things down at

His feet as a sweet smelling perfume?

For Consideration:

What was the difference between Mary’s response to Jesus and that of

Judas? With whom do you more clearly identify?

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ today, what has your belief in Him cost

you?

What are you willing to sacrifice for the Lord Jesus today? How much is He

worth to you personally?

For Prayer:

Ask the Lord to give you a fresh sense of His beauty and worthiness.

Ask the Lord to make you willing to sacrifice whatever He asks you to

sacrifice for His glory today.

Thank the Lord for the fact that He is completely worthy of our greatest

sacrifice.

Ask the Lord to show you if there is anything you need to lay at His feet

today.

17 - SIMON PETER

As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, “You are

not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am

not.” One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man

whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you

with him in the olive grove?” Again Peter denied it, and at that

moment a rooster began to crow. (John 18:25-27)

esus had been arrested. His disciples fled and left Him alone to face

the Jewish authorities. There was no doubt about what the Jews

intended to do with Jesus. Their intention was to crucify Him.

Two of Jesus' disciples followed at a distance. Simon Peter was one of them

and he was anxious to see what would happen to His Lord. Standing outside

the courtyard, a girl approached him and asked, “You are not one of his

disciples are you?” Peter replied, “I am not.” (John 18:17). He entered the

courtyard and stood by a fire warming himself, awaiting the results of the

trial. “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” said another person (John

18:25). For the second time Peter denied any association with Jesus. As

time went on, another person looked over to Peter and said, “Didn’t I see

you with Him in the olive grove?”(John 18:26) The man speaking was a

relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off. Peter denied knowing Jesus

a third time.

Luke tells us that when Peter denied Jesus for the third time, Jesus turned

and looked at him (Luke 22:61). That look broke Peter's spirit. He left the

courtyard and wept bitterly (Luke 22:62).

Prior to these events Peter told Jesus that he would willingly lay down his

life for Him (see John 13:37). He was not so sure of himself now. He was

not the man he had so boldly claimed to be.

What did it mean for Peter to meet the Saviour that day? It meant that he

had to come to grips with his own weakness. As he saw the eyes of the Lord

penetrate him, he knew he was guilty. He had, at one point, given up all to

follow the Lord. Now he was afraid to be identified with Him.

Maybe as you read this you can identify with what Peter was going through.

Maybe at one point in your life you made a commitment to the Lord Jesus.

Today however, you find yourself in Peter's position. You are ashamed of

your Lord. You do not want others to know that you are His follower.

Peter left the courtyard a broken man. He saw his failure when he saw Jesus

that day. His weakness and bold claims were exposed for what they really

were. Those who meet the Saviour often become painfully aware of their

shortcomings. Standing before His holiness and purity they see their shame

and sinfulness. What is most encouraging however about this story is that

Jesus restored Peter. Peter got back on his feet, received the forgiveness of

God and went on to become one of the most important leaders in the

church. Jesus can do the same for you.

For Consideration:

How sure are you of your relationship with the Lord? Is it possible for you

to fall just like Peter?

Have you ever fallen into sin like Peter? How difficult was it to get back up

again? What encouragement do you find in this chapter?

How do you keep from falling like Peter?

What sins do you need to deal with today to be restored into a better

relationship with the Lord Jesus?

For Prayer:

Ask the Lord to help you to be strong in Him.

Ask the Lord to reveal any pride or false sense of security that may be in

you today.

If you have fallen, ask the Lord to give you grace to get back on your feet

like Peter.

Thank the Lord for His wonderful forgiveness and grace.

18 - PILATE

When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on

the judge’s seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which

in Aramaic is Gabbatha). It was the day of Preparation of

Passover Week, about eh sixth hour, “Here is your king,” Pilate

said to the Jews. But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him

away! Crucify him!” “Shall I crucify your king? Pilate asked.

“We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered.

Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the

soldiers took charge of Jesus. (John 19:13-16)

fter condemning Jesus in a religious court, the Jews brought Him

to Pilate for his judgment. They wanted Jesus killed and needed

Pilate's approval.

It was in the early morning that they brought Jesus to Pilate. Pilate asked

the Jews, “What charges are you bringing against this man?” (John 18:29)

The Jews replied, “If He were not a criminal… we would not have handed

him over to you.” (John 18:30) Their accusations were vague. Pilate was

not convinced that Jesus was guilty of any wrong. He told them to take Him

away and judge Him according to their own law (John 18:30). The Jews

could punish Jesus but according to Roman law they were not allowed to

crucify Him.

The Jews were not happy with Pilate’s response. Luke 23:1-2 tells us that

they then began to bring political accusations against Jesus. They accused

Him of “subverting the nation,” and opposing the payment of taxes. They

even told Pilate that Jesus claimed to be king.

Religious accusations did not bother Pilate but he could not ignore these

political accusations. He brought Jesus into the palace for questioning.

“Are you the King of the Jews,” Pilate asked Jesus (John 18:33). Jesus

responded by telling him that while He was king, His kingdom was not of

this world (John 18:36). By this Pilate understood once again that the

disagreement between Jesus and the Jews was religious in nature. Jesus was

not a political threat. Having been reassured in his heart, Pilate pronounces

his judgment. “I find no basis for a charge against Him,” he said in John

18:38.

In his desire to please the Jews, however, Pilate decided to release a

prisoner. He brought before them a man by the name of Barabbas.

According to Luke 23:19 this man was guilty of sedition and murder. The

King James translation of the Bible tells us in John 18:40 that Barabbas was

a robber. With Barabbas on one side and Jesus on the other, Pilate told the

Jews that he would release one of these men. There is no doubt in the mind

of Pilate as to which one of them was guilty. Barabbas was a political rebel.

To the astonishment of Pilate, however, the Jews called for the release of

Barabbas. They ask Him to crucify Jesus.

Pilate asked the Jews, “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have

found in Him no grounds for the death penalty.” (Luke 23:22) Pilate did not

understand why the Jews felt so strongly opposed to Jesus. He decided to

continue his attempt to release Jesus. He told the crowd that he would have

Him punished and then released (Luke 23:22).

According to Matthew 27:19 Pilate knew the reason the Jews wanted to kill

Jesus was out of envy. During the trial of Jesus, Pilate's wife told him about

a dream she had about Jesus. She begged Pilate to have nothing to do with

“that innocent man.” (Matthew 27:19).

To please the Jews Pilate had Jesus delivered over to his soldiers. The

soldiers dressed Jesus in kingly robes. They placed a crown of thorns on his

head and mocked him. They spat on Him and beat Him. When the soldiers

had finished with Jesus, Pilate had Him brought again before the people.

What a sorry sight He was. Blood streamed down His head. Open cuts

could be seen on his back. He was wet with the spit of Roman soldiers.

Surely Pilate thought, this would satisfy the Jews.

The response of the people was beyond imagination. They cried out, with

one accord: “Crucify! Crucify!” It is hard to imagine such hatred. They had

no compassion. Pilate did not understand their response. Once again he

said: “I find no basis for a charge against Him.”

The Jews told Pilate that Jesus claimed to be God and according to their law

He had to die. When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus again into the

palace for further questioning. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus

(John 19:8). What was going through his mind when he asked this

question? The result of this conversation with Jesus was that yet again

Pilate sought to release Jesus but the Jews kept crying out against Him

(John 19:12).

Seeing Pilate’s hesitation to crucify Jesus, the people began to accuse him

of being the enemy of Caesar. Pilate knew that if that news were to travel,

he risked his job and even his life. In a last feeble effort to release Jesus,

Pilate said to the people, “shall I crucify your king?” The chief priests

responded, “We have no king but Caesar” (John 19.15). Pilate knew the

hypocrisy of this statement. The Jews hated Rome. He could do nothing to

ease the mounting rebellion on his hands. He handed Jesus over to the Jews

to be crucified.

Pilate had a sign made up to put over the cross where Jesus was crucified. It

said, "Jesus of Nazareth, The King of the Jews." (John 19:19) The Jewish

leaders asked Pilate to change this sign. They wanted it to read “He claimed

to be king of the Jews.” (John 19:21) Pilate would have nothing to do with

changing the sign. “What I have written, I have written,” he told them (John

19:21). We are left wondering what Pilate really believed about Jesus. He

certainly knew He was innocent.

What did it mean for Pilate to meet the Saviour? It meant that he came into

confrontation with the people of his day. Pilate knew Jesus was innocent,

yet he handed Him over to be crucified. Why did he hand Jesus over? Was

it not because of the people around him? Was it not because he valued his

job, his reputation and his life? He knew the truth about the innocence of

Christ but did not have the courage to stand for Him in his final hour.

What will we do with Jesus today? Will we be like Pilate and wash our

hands of Him because we do not have the courage to stand up for the truth?

Pilate went to his grave knowing that he had killed an innocent man. Will

we go to our grave knowing that we have turned our backs on Him?

Knowing the truth is not enough. We also need to respond to the truth. How

will we respond to Jesus today? Will we risk our lives our jobs our

reputations for Him? Or will we like Pilate turn our backs on Him and go

with the crowd?

For Consideration:

What do you think Pilate believed in his heart about Jesus?

Why do you think Pilate ultimately handed Jesus over to the Jews?

What do you think his response toward Jesus should have been?

What has been your response to Jesus?

What are you willing to risk for the sake of Jesus today?

For Prayer:

Ask the Lord to help you to demonstrate what you believe about Jesus in

your life. Ask Him for courage to stand firm for what you believe.

Thank the Lord that while Pilate handed Him over to be crucified, the Lord

God used what He did to accomplish our salvation.

Ask the Lord to give you courage and strength to be faithful to Him no

matter the cost.

19 - CONCLUSION

hy did the apostle John write the Gospel of John? John 20:30-

31 gives us the answer:

Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his

disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are

written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of

God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

If there was one thing that John wanted to accomplish by writing his gospel

it was that his readers be convinced that Jesus was the Son of God and enter

into the life He came to offer. I have written this series of brief reflections

on the Gospel of John for the same reason. It is my desire that each reader

examines his or her response to the person of the Lord Jesus introduced to

us by John in his gospel.

In this study we have been introduced to men, women and children who

met Jesus when He walked on this earth. There are several important

lessons that these various encounters teach us.

First, coming to Jesus will cost something. The disciples dropped their nets

and left their families. John’s disciples left their master. A little boy gave

Jesus all his lunch. Mary poured out her most expensive perfume on His

feet. When we come to Him we too must be willing to lay everything down.

Second, coming to Jesus will mean confronting what we currently believe.

Nathanael had his ideas about the people of Nazareth. Those ideas had to be

changed. The Pharisees had their opinions about Jesus but because they

refused to accept what Jesus said, they never did come to know Him and the

truth of His word. If you come to Jesus you must come with a willingness

to trust Him and what He says.

Third, coming to Jesus will mean being confronted with our sin. When the

money changers met the Lord Jesus He took out a whip and drove them out

of the temple. When the crowd of John 6 came to Jesus demanding to be

fed, He exposed their selfishness. Simon Peter was confronted with his

shortcomings when Jesus looked up at him after he denied him three times.

When Nicodemus came to Jesus, as a religious man, he was told that he was

not ready to enter the kingdom of heaven. For some this message about sin

was too much to bear. They refused to listen. Those who were unwilling to

accept the reality of their sin walked away unchanged.

Fourth, those who came to Jesus recognizing their sin discovered His

willingness to forgive. The Samaritan woman and the woman caught in

adultery understood this wonderful acceptance and forgiveness of Jesus as

did Simon Peter. They came with a full understanding of their sin and

unworthiness but walked away changed people, knowing the complete

forgiveness of the Lord Jesus.

Fifth, those who were forgiven experienced new life and purpose. Andrew

and Philip are clear examples of individuals who were radically changed by

meeting the Lord Jesus. The Samaritan woman too was changed by her

encounter with Jesus. Their thinking was radically changed. They were new

people because they met the Lord Jesus and received the forgiveness and

new life He came to offer.

Finally, coming to Jesus demands a decision. Pilate knew the truth about

Jesus but did not have the strength to choose Jesus over the crowd. The

Pharisees saw evidence of the truth of Jesus’ claims but refused to open

their eyes to it. Nathanael, on the other hand, came to Jesus with a negative

attitude but was willing to accept the truth he saw in Him. He went away a

new man. Those who meet the Saviour have a decision to make. Will they

accept Him and His claims or will they walk away unchanged.

In this book we have met individuals who walked away from Jesus

unchanged. We have also met men, women and children whose lives were

radically transformed by their encounter with Him. The question ultimately

is what will be your response to meeting Him in the pages of this book?

May God give you eyes to see Jesus for who He is, and a heart to believe

His claims. May your encounter with the Saviour be a life-changing

encounter.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Light To My Path Book Distribution

Light To My Path Book Distribution (LTMP) is a

book writing and distribution ministry reaching

out to needy Christian workers in Asia, Latin

America, and Africa. Many Christian workers in

developing countries do not have the resources

necessary to obtain Bible training or purchase

Bible study materials for their ministries and

personal encouragement.

F. Wayne Mac Leod is a member of Action

International Ministries and has been writing

these books with a goal to distribute them freely or at cost price to needy

pastors and Christian workers around the world. These books are being

used in preaching, teaching, evangelism and encouragement of local

believers in over sixty countries. Books have now been translated into a

number of languages. The goal is to make them available to as many

believers as possible.

The ministry of LTMP is a faith based ministry and we trust the Lord for

the resources necessary to distribute the books for the encouragement and

strengthening of believers around the world. Would you pray that the Lord

would open doors for the translation and further distribution of these books?

For more information about Light To My Path Book Distribution visit our

website at www.lighttomypath.ca