The Gospel of John – Lesson 13 – John 5:31-47

31 “If I were to testify about myself, my testimony would not be valid. 32 There is another who testifies about me, and I know that his testimony about me is valid. 33 You sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. 34 The testimony I receive is not from man, but I am saying these things so that you may be saved. 35 John was a lamp that was shining brightly, and for a while you wanted to enjoy his light. 36 But I have testimony greater than John’s. For the works that the Father gave me to carry out, the very works that I am doing, these testify about me that the Father has sent me. 37 The Father who sent me—he is the one who has testified about me. You have never heard his voice or seen his form. 38 And you do not have his word remaining in you, because you do not believe the one he sent. 39 You search the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them. They testify about me! 40 And yet you do not want to come to me in order to have life. 41“I do not accept honor from people. 42 But I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God within you. 43 I have come in my Father’s name, yet you do not accept me. If someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe while you continue to accept glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45 “Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. The one who accuses you is Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe what I say?”

The Jews believed they had a clear case against Jesus. Everyone knew he was the son of a carpenter from the out of the way village of Nazareth. Yet he testified that despite his outward appearances, he is the true Son of God. Someone falsely claiming to be God was guilty of blasphemy. This crime was punishable by death. (See Leviticus 24:16) Jesus would need witnesses to testify on his behalf to prove his claims. His own testimony wasn’t sufficient. Even Jesus acknowledged his personal testimony wasn’t enough to validate his claims. He said in the opening verse of our reading today “If I were to testify about myself, my testimony would not be valid.”

Although Jesus is the true Son of God, he wasn’t relying on his own testimony to prove his case. Jesus had witnesses to testify for him. His first witness was the man, John the Baptist. God promised through his Old Testament prophets to send a messenger to prepare the way for the coming Savior. (See Isaiah 40:3-5 and Malachi 4:5-6) If the Jewish leaders had looked closely at John’s ministry they would have seen that he fulfilled everything God promised about the messenger he would send to prepare the way for Jesus. When John began his ministry in the wilderness of Judea, people came from all over to hear him preach and to be baptized by him. Even the leaders of the Jews came to hear him. John testified that Jesus is the “The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”

But Jesus had witnesses even greater than John the Baptist. Jesus’ second witness was the work he was doing. Jesus was doing many miracles. He healed the sick. He made lame people walk. He drove out demons. He even raised the dead to life. These miracles were part of the work God gave his Son to carry out. (See Isaiah 35:4-6) No mere human being could do such amazing miracles. Jesus’ works clearly testified he is the Son of God.

Jesus’ third witness was God the Father. At Jesus’ baptism, his heavenly Father spoke from heaven proclaiming that Jesus is his beloved Son with whom he was well pleased. (See Matthew 3:17). He made the same proclamation at the Transfiguration of Jesus. (See Matthew 17:5) When the Jews rejected Jesus’ testimony about himself they were also rejecting God the Father who sent his Son to be our Savior.

Jesus pointed to one additional witness. In verse 39 of our reading he said, “You search the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them. They testify about me!” Jesus acknowledged that the leaders of the Jews were diligently studying the Word of God. But they still missed the fact that the teachings of Scripture centers on Jesus. God gave the Law through Moses to show us that we are sinners in desperate need of someone to save us. God divinely inspired his prophets to point ahead to the one who would come to be our Savior. The Savior was God’s own Son. Jesus was now fulfilling all the prophecies about the promised Savior. A careful study of the Holy Scriptures should always lead us to see Jesus as the fulfillment of everything God promised.

God has graciously preserved the Holy Scriptures so that we can diligently study them today. As we do we can see that we have sinned and fallen short of God’s expectations. But the Holy Scriptures testify that our salvation comes through the Savior God promised to send. That Savior is Jesus Christ, the true Son of God. God’s message to us testifies that through Jesus alone we have eternal life.

Discussion Questions

1 – Jesus is the Son of God. He didn’t need any human being to testify for him. Yet he still pointed to the testimony of John the Baptist. Why was John’s testimony so important?
God promised to send a messenger to point to Jesus as the promised Savior. John was that messenger. Many people came to John to hear him preach about the Savior. They heard his testimony about Jesus and they believed. Jesus didn’t need John’s testimony to validate that he is the promised Savior. But John did speak the truth about Jesus. Our Lord uses the testimony of anyone who teaches the truth about Jesus to bring others to saving faith in him.

2 – What did Jesus mean when he said “The one who accuses you is Moses, on whom you have set your hope?”
The Jews believed they were right with God because they had kept the Law of God which God gave through Moses at Mt. Sinai. But they were putting their hope on something that could not save them. God’s Law demands perfection. If we even break one of God’s commandments we are guilty before God and deserving of his eternal judgment. (See James 2:10)

3 – God gave the Law through Moses. Yet Jesus said Moses also wrote about him. Where did Moses do this?
One example appears in Deuteronomy 18:15, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brother Israelites. Listen to him.” The prophet Moses pointed ahead to was Jesus. Remember, Jesus said all the Holy Scriptures testify about him. (See verse 39 of our reading from John 5) Moses also was divinely inspired to write the book of Genesis. Here we see several prophecies about the Savior (Genesis 3:15, 12:3, 28:14, 49:10, etc.) The picture of the Passover Lamb in Exodus 12, the sin offering in Leviticus 6:24-30 and the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) all pointed ahead to Christ. The Jews saw the Law proclaimed through Moses, but they failed to see Jesus.

4 – Sometimes as Christians we do what God tells us is right and yet people reject us. How does Jesus’ testimony in these verses help us in those times?
Jesus was also rejected by people for teaching the truth. If this rejection happened to him it will also happen to those who follow him. Ultimately, the only important thing is that God is pleased by our actions. Remember Jesus’ promise in Revelation 2:10, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

If you have any questions about the Word of God we studied in this lesson please contact Pastor Greg Tobison. You can send your questions to
revgtobison@gmail.com.

The Gospel of John – Lesson 12 – John 5:16-30

16 So the Jews began to persecute Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working right up to the present time, and I am working too.” 18 This is why the Jews tried all the more to kill him, because he was not merely breaking the Sabbath, but was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. 19 Jesus answered them directly, “Amen, Amen, I tell you: The Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing. Indeed, the Son does exactly what the Father does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing. And he will show him even greater works than these so that you will be amazed. 21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to those he wishes. 22 “In fact, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Amen, Amen, I tell you: Anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He is not going to come into judgment but has crossed over from death to life. 25 “Amen, Amen, I tell you: A time is coming and is here now when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who listen will live. 26 For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he has granted the Son to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and will come out. Those who have done good will rise to live, but those who have practiced evil will rise to be condemned. 30 I can do nothing at all on my own. I judge only as I hear. And my judgment is just, for I do not seek my own will, but the will of him who sent me.

Imagine what it would be like to always do the right thing. It would be great to know that every decision you make is the right one and that every action you take will always be for the best. As your reputation for doing the right thing became known, I imagine many people would look to you to help them make decisions in tough situations. But always doing the right thing could also cause much resentment. People could grow jealous of your abilities. They would grow tired of you always being right. Sometimes people would let their sinful pride get the better of them and do the opposite of what you suggested.

We don’t have to worry about always being right. We’re sinful human beings. We’ll often take actions to satisfy our desires even when we know that what we’re doing is wrong. But Jesus is the Son of God. He is always right in every situation. But often, doing the right thing turned people against him. In our last Bible study from John 5:1-15 we learned how Jesus healed a man who had been unable to walk for 38 years. It was a wonderful act of kindness and love by Jesus. How could anyone find any fault in Jesus for doing this good deed? But the leaders of the Jews hated Jesus for his action. Their hatred reached the point that they wanted to kill him. The reason for their hatred was that Jesus had done this work on the Sabbath Day. According to the Law that God gave the Israelites at Mt. Sinai they weren’t supposed to do any regular work on the Sabbath Day.(See Exodus 20:8-10) But their reasons for hating Jesus went even further. They also felt Jesus was guilty of blasphemy because he called himself the Son of God. By calling God his Father and himself the Son of God, he was making himself equal to God.

But Jesus showed them that he was right in everything he did. For one thing, the Jews took the good command God gave them concerning the Sabbath Day and added all their own rules and regulations to it. God didn’t say that all work on the Sabbath Day was wrong. Jesus said in Luke 14:5, “Which of you, if your son or an ox would fall into a well on a Sabbath day, would not immediately pull him out?” The answer was obvious. If a child or an important work animal fell into a well on the Sabbath, no one would leave them there until after the Sabbath was over. They would immediately show compassion and go to work to rescue them. In the same way, Jesus was right to show compassion to a disabled man and heal him on the Sabbath Day.

This amazing miracle also served another purpose. Jesus proved he wasn’t speaking blasphemy when he called himself the Son of God. No human being could have done what Jesus did. Only God could have performed such a great work. Miracles like these also fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies about the Savior. Isaiah 35:5-6 said “Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy.

Jesus always said and did the right things. Despite this, many people still rejected Jesus as the Son of God. We give thanks to our Lord that he has opened our eyes to see the truth about Jesus. We believe that he is the true Son of God and our Savior. We believe that we have life in his name.

Discussion Questions

1 – Why did the Jewish leaders want to kill Jesus?
They believed he had spoken blasphemy by calling himself the Son of God. They ignored that Jesus had continually proven his identity by his powerful miracles and by his fulfillment of all the Old Testament prophecies of the Savior.

2 – Jesus had already performed many amazing miracles during his public ministry. In verse 20 he promised even greater things were still to be shown. What greater things was he talking about?Jesus would prove he is the true Son of God when he gave his life on the cross to take away our sins and when he defeated death by rising from the grave. Finally, he will return in all his glory on the Last Day as the judge of all mankind. He will take all those who are his to live with him eternally in heaven.

3 – We normally think of our eternal life as beginning at the moment we die. What does Jesus say about this in verse 24?
Jesus said, “Amen, Amen, I tell you: Anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He is not going to come into judgment but has crossed over from death to life.” From the moment we first believe in Jesus as our Savior we have the sure promise of eternal life. It is true we don’t physically take possession of our eternal life until after our earthly life ends. But as long as we remain in Christ through faith in him this eternal gift from God is ours even now and will not be taken away from us.

4 – Jesus said the Father has entrusted all judgment to his Son. According to God’s Word that we’re studying today, what can we be sure of concerning all the Son’s judgments?
The Father and the Son are in full agreement in everything they do. There is no disagreement between them. When Jesus says that all who believe in him as their Savior will have eternal life in heaven we can be sure that this is also the will of our heavenly Father.

If you have any questions about the Word of God we studied in this lesson please contact Pastor Greg Tobison. You can send your questions to
revgtobison@gmail.com.

The Gospel of John – Lesson 11 – John 5:1-15

1 After this, there was a Jewish festival, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem there is a pool, called Bethesda in Aramaic, which has five colonnades. 3 Within these lay a large number of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—who were waiting for the movement of the water. 4 For an angel would go down at certain times into the pool and stir up the water. Whoever stepped in first after the stirring of the water was healed of whatever disease he had. 5 One man was there who had been sick for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew he had already been sick a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” 7 “Sir,” the sick man answered, “I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up. While I’m going, someone else goes down ahead of me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9 Instantly the man was healed. He picked up his mat and walked. That day was the Sabbath. 10 So the Jews told the man who had been healed, “This is the Sabbath! You are not permitted to carry your mat.” 11 He answered them, “The one who made me well told me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’” 12 Then they asked him, “Who is the man who told you, ‘Pick it up and walk’?” 13 But the man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there. 14 Later Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “Look, you are well now. Do not sin anymore so that nothing worse happens to you.” 15 The man went back and reported to the Jews that it was Jesus who made him well.

Imagine what it must have been like for the man Jesus encountered in Jerusalem in our lesson today. Some unnamed illness had plagued him for the past 38 years. One of the effects of the disease was that he wasn’t able to walk. There was no medical treatment at the time to heal his affliction. The Bible tells us that Jesus found him by the pool of Bethesda. According to Scripture an angel would stir up the water of the pool. The first one in the water after this happened would be healed. We don’t know any further details. Our Lord has chosen to give us only limited information on this subject in his Word. There are many questions about the pool of Bethesda and healings that occurred there that will have to remain unanswered.

Whenever the Bible leaves us with unanswered questions we remember that our Lord has told us everything we need to know. The purpose of the Gospel of John is that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ the true Son of God and that through faith in him we have eternal life. (John 20:31) Jesus once again proved who he is by instantly healing the man who was unable to walk for so many years. No medicines or physical therapy were required. Jesus gave the command “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk” and the man was fully healed. Only God has the power to provide such an instant miracle healing.

Sadly, another wonderful sign from the Son of God was rejected. The Jewish leaders didn’t seem the least bit interested in the special mercy God had shown this man. They didn’t seem the least bit amazed by the fact that a man who couldn’t walk for 38 years suddenly could walk. They only cared about strict adherence to the rules and regulations they added to God’s Law. We’ll talk more about that in our next study.

But Jesus wasn’t finished with the man he healed at the pool of Bethesda. He sought out the man and gave him a stern command. “Look, you are well now. Do not sin anymore so that nothing worse happens to you.” But this was unlike the command the Jewish leaders gave to this man. Jesus, who healed his physical body now wanted to heal his soul. Obviously, Jesus was not saying that this man could stop sinning completely. We remain sinful human beings as long as we remain in the world. Instead Jesus wanted this man to live a life of repentance and trusting in God’s mercy. Thirty eight years of not being able to walk must have caused much suffering. But a lifetime of sin leads to an eternity of suffering, separated from God. Jesus’ warning was filled with love and the desire that the man he healed would enjoy eternal life with his Lord in heaven.

Consider how often our Lord has healed each of us from physical ailments. We thank God for his mercy in providing such healing. But we thank him all the more for healing us from the ailment of sin. Let us hear Jesus’ call to turn away from our sins by daily repentance, knowing that our sins are fully forgiven in him.

Discussion Questions

1 – What are some ways in which Jesus showed mercy to the man who was unable to walk for 38 years?
Jesus showed his mercy in fully healing the man from his physical condition. More importantly, he used this miracle healing as a way to later confront the man about his sins and call him to repent and trust in God’s mercy.

2 – Some people say that Jesus answers our prayers and performs miracles – only if our faith is strong enough. How would you answer them?
God’s mercy is not dependent on us. God said to Moses in Exodus 33:19 “I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy.” Scripture doesn’t mention that the man Jesus healed at Bethesda had a strong faith. In fact, it seems he didn’t know who Jesus was at the time. God showed mercy to him because it was God’s choice to do so. We thank God that he blesses us many times daily, not because we have earned or deserved it, but rather, because it is his good and gracious will to do so.

3 – Why did the Jews confront the man Jesus healed?
He followed Jesus’ command to pick his mat and walk home. The day this happened was the Sabbath Day. When God gave the Law in Exodus 20 he did say “Six days you are to serve and do all your regular work, but the seventh day shall be a Sabbath rest to the Lord your God.” This Sabbath day was supposed to be a time dedicated to worshiping the Lord. This didn’t mean a complete restriction on all physical activities. As Jesus said “Who among you, if you have one sheep that falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out?” God’s commands were given in part as a means by which we can show our thanks to God for all he has done for us. The Jews tried to use the Law as a means to save ourselves. Therefore, they demanded strict adherence to the Law, believing they could make themselves right with God by doing so.

4 – Why did Jesus give such a stern warning to the man he just finished healing?
Jesus wanted to provide an even greater healing. The man could walk again. But he was still a sinner, deserving to be separated from God for eternity. Jesus warned the man to stop sinning. Jesus wanted the man to repent of his sins and to trust that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. (John 1:29)

If you have any questions about the Word of God we studied in this lesson please contact Pastor Greg Tobison. You can send your questions to
revgtobison@gmail.com.

The Gospel of John – Lesson 10 – John 4:43-54

43 After two days, Jesus left for Galilee. 44 Now Jesus himself had testified that a prophet is not honored in his own country. 45 When he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. They had seen all the things he did at the Festival in Jerusalem, because they also had gone to the Festival. 46 Jesus came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. In Capernaum, there was a certain royal official whose son was sick. 47 When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea into Galilee, he went to him and begged him to come down and heal his son, because his son was about to die. 48 Jesus told him, “Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders, you certainly will not believe.” 49 The royal official said to him, “Lord, come down before my little boy dies.” 50 “Go,” Jesus told him, “your son is going to live.” The man believed this word that Jesus spoke to him and left. 51 Already as he was going down, his servants met him with the news that his boy was going to live. 52 So he asked them what time his son got better. They told him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53 Then the father realized that was the exact time when Jesus had told him, “Your son is going to live.” And he himself and his whole household believed. 54 This was the second miraculous sign Jesus did after he came from Judea into Galilee.

Our reading today features the account of a certain royal official from Capernaum. We don’t know what this man’s position was, but he apparently had access to the best medical care that money could provide at the time. But his earthly status didn’t do him any good. His young son was gravely ill. If he didn’t get the right help soon he was going to die. We can assume the official from Capernaum spared no effort to try to find a cure for his son’s condition. Nothing had worked. The situation looked hopeless.

But then the official heard that Jesus was in the area. Obviously, Jesus’ reputation was well known to the man. Perhaps he heard how Jesus had changed water into wine on an earlier visit to Cana in Galilee. Perhaps he’d heard of other miracles Jesus died throughout Judea. Whatever the case was, the desperate man suddenly had hope. He pleaded with Jesus to make the trip from Cana to Capernaum to heal his son.

Does Jesus’ answer strike you as being rather unfeeling? Jesus said “Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders, you certainly will not believe.” Jesus was right in what he said. Many people believed in him as long as he was doing powerful miracles. But how quickly didn’t many people turn their backs on Jesus when he tried to teach them he was their Savior from sin and not just a traveling miracle worker. That was important. But a little boy’s life was on the line. Couldn’t this discussion have waited for another time after the boy’s life was no longer in danger But Jesus’ concerns went far deeper than the physical health of a little boy. He was concerned with the spiritual health of the royal official and everyone in his household (including the sick little boy). Jesus’ harsh rebuke of the man was also a loving invitation to believe in Jesus as the true Son of God and the Savior of the world.

The royal official didn’t give up. He emphasized his need all the more. “Lord, come down before my little boy dies.” But Jesus also didn’t stop working toward his goal. He wasn’t going to give the royal official everything he thought he needed. Jesus wasn’t going to Capernaum with him. He wasn’t going to give him a visible miracle he could see and hold onto at that moment. Jesus’ reply was “Go, your son is going to live.”

Jesus knew exactly what the situation required. The man believed that Jesus could do exactly what he promised. On the way home he found out his trust was well-placed. His servants met the official on the road and gave him the good news that his son was well again. On further inquiry, he found out his son was healed at the exact time Jesus made the promise that the boy would live. The man shared this good news with his whole household. The result was all of them put their trust in Jesus. The Son of God had done more than physically heal a young boy whose life was in danger. He gave spiritually healing to an entire household who were lost in their sins.

This example reminds us how Jesus often works in our lives. He doesn’t always give us what we ask for in exactly the way we want it. Jesus answers our prayers in the way he knows is best. Always his goal is that we will believe that he is the Son of God and our only way to eternal life.

Discussion Questions

1 – In desperation, a royal official turned to Jesus to heal his young son who was near death. Jesus seemed to display a heartless response in verse 48. How was Jesus really showing love in the way he responded?
Jesus’ goal was that the man and his whole household would believe in him as their only Savior from sin. Simply doing a powerful miracle wouldn’t create such saving faith in itself. Jesus responded in a way that would not only heal the boy, but would also lead the whole household to saving faith.

2 – How did the royal official display his faith in Jesus?
Jesus didn’t go with him to Capernaum. Instead Jesus told he man to go home, his son would live. The man believed that Jesus had the power to heal his son, even if he didn’t go to see him. He took Jesus at his word and went on his way.

3 – How does Jesus sometimes deal with us in the same way he dealt with the royal official?
Our Lord doesn’t always answer our prayers in exactly the way we want them answered. But he always answers them in the way that is best. Sometimes the answer he gives will be completely different than what we asked for. Our Lord simply calls on us to believe he is always working for our good in everything he does.

4 – What was the result of Jesus’ gracious dealings with the royal official from Capernaum?
The young boy was fully restored to health. More importantly the father and his entire household put their full trust in Jesus.

If you have any questions about the Word of God we studied in this lesson please contact Pastor Greg Tobison.
You can send your questions to revgtobison@gmail.com.

The Gospel of John – Lesson 9 – John 4:27-42

27 Just then his disciples returned and were surprised that he was talking to a woman. Yet no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking to her?” 28 Then the woman left her water jar and went back into town. She said to the people, 29 “Come, see the man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” 30 They left the town and came to him. 31 Meanwhile, the disciples kept urging him, “Rabbi, eat.” 32 But Jesus said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” 33 Then the disciples said to each other, “Did anyone bring him something to eat?” 34 Jesus told them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 35 Do you not say, ‘Four more months and the harvest will be here’? Pay attention to what I am telling you. Open your eyes and look at the fields, because they are already ripe for harvest. 36 The reaper is getting paid and is gathering grain for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may rejoice together. 37 Indeed in this case the saying is true, ‘One sows, and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap a harvest for which you did no hard work. Others have done the hard work, and you have benefitted from their labor.” 39 Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony: “He told me everything I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them. And he stayed there two days. 41 Many more believed because of his message. 42 They told the woman, “We no longer believe because of what you said. Now we have heard for ourselves. And we know that this really is the Savior of the world.”

Has this ever happened to you? Your supervisor at work assigns you to take on extra work to complete a big project. You spend lots of extra hours getting everything done. Because of your efforts the project is a big success. But then the company president gives all the credit to your supervisor for a job well done. Your name never even gets mentioned. It seems so unfair. You did all the work and someone else got all the credit. Why should you try your best on future projects if someone else is going to get all the attention for work you did?

In the last section of John’s Gospel, Jesus met with a woman at the well outside the town of Sychar. Through Jesus’ testimony the woman believed that Jesus is the promised Savior of the world. The woman couldn’t keep the good news to herself. She went back into town and told everyone about what Jesus told her. The people wanted to know more. According to John, the people came out to hear more about Jesus. They invited him to stay for two days. By the end of that time they also believed that Jesus is the true Savior of the world.

During those two days Jesus’ disciples probably had many opportunities to tell what they had already learned about Jesus. They didn’t need to worry that someone was going to slam the door in their face or tell them what a foolish message they were sharing. The people of Sychar wanted to learn more about Jesus. Jesus had done the hard work through his testimony to the woman. The disciples had the opportunity to share in the harvest of souls made ready for the Kingdom of God.

Our Lord has given all of us the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20. “Therefore go and gather disciples from all nations by baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and by teaching them to keep all the instructions I have given you. And surely I am with you always until the end of the age.” Sometimes we will have the opportunity to share Jesus with someone who has never heard the good news of our Savior before. We may not always see the fruits of our labor. Someone else may later share the good news again that will finally lead that person to faith. Other times we may be the person who builds on someone else’s work of leading an unbeliever to know Jesus. As Christians, we shouldn’t be jealous that someone else got the credit for work we did. When we don’t see the results of the work we did in Jesus’ name, we can still rejoice that God has promised his Word never returns to him empty. It always accomplishes the purpose he sent it to achieve. (Isaiah 55:11) We ought to thank our Lord for the privilege to share in the work of making disciples of all nations.

Discussion Questions

1 – In verse 32 Jesus told his disciples he already had food to eat. What food was he talking about?
Jesus’ food was to do the will of his heavenly Father and complete the work he was sent to do. (See verse 34.)

2 – How does the food Jesus spoke of also provide us with spiritual refreshment?
Jesus’ food also becomes the food of his disciples. We desire to reach lost souls with the good news of Jesus Christ. God’s people find great joy to sharing in the work of our Lord. The more we share the good news of Jesus, the more our own faith in Jesus is also strengthened.

3 – What did Jesus mean when he told his disciples in verse 38 “I sent you to reap a harvest for which you did no hard work?”
Jesus had already done the hard work of sharing his message with the Samaritan woman. She had gone back to town and shared what she had heard with others. May people from Sychar now came to hear more about Jesus. This would give the disciples an audience to share the good news of what Jesus had done in their lives. The process continues today. Sometimes we will have the chance to sow the seed of the Gospel. Other times we will have the chance to bring in the harvest of souls won through continual sharing of the Gospel.

4 – What were the results of Jesus’ testimony to the Samaritan woman and her testimony to the people of her hometown?
Jesus’ testimony led the woman to believe she had found the promised Messiah. Her testimony led the people to come to Jesus so they could learn more from him. After two days of testimony from Jesus they were fully convinced he was their Savior.

If you have any questions about the Word of God we studied in this lesson please contact Pastor Greg Tobison. You can send your questions to revgtobison@gmail.com.

The Gospel of John – Lesson 8 – John 4:1-26

Jesus found out that the Pharisees had heard he was making and baptizing more disciples than John, 2 though it was not Jesus himself who was baptizing but his disciples. 3 So he left Judea and went back again to Galilee. 4 He had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the piece of land Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there. Then Jesus, being tired from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7 A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 (His disciples had gone into town to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” 11 “Sir,” she said, “you don’t even have a bucket, and the well is deep. So where do you get this living water? 12 You are not greater than our father Jacob, are you? He gave us this well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his animals.” 13 Jesus answered her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I will give him will never be thirsty ever again. Rather, the water I will give him will become in him a spring of water, bubbling up to eternal life.” 15 “Sir, give me this water,” the woman said to him, “so I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” 16 Jesus told her, “Go, call your husband, and come back here.” 17 “I have no husband,” the woman answered. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say, ‘I have no husband.’ 18 In fact, you have had five husbands, and the man you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true.” 19 “Sir,” the woman replied, “I see that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshipped on this mountain, but you Jews insist that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will not worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know. We worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews. 23 But a time is coming and now is here when the real worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for those are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” 25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (the one called Christ). “When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I, the one speaking to you, am he.”

Jesus and his disciples were on a journey from Judea to Galilee. Verse 4 of our reading said Jesus “had to go through Samaria.” It wasn’t that there was no other route Jesus could have taken. Many Jewish people would take a longer route to avoid passing through Samaritan land. It was necessary for Jesus to pass through Samaria for a different reason. That reason became evident as Jesus stopped by a well in the town of Sychar.

Jesus’ disciples went in to town to buy food while Jesus stopped to rest at a well on a plot of land Jacob had given to his son Joseph centuries earlier. (See Genesis 48:22) While Jesus was resting a woman from town came to draw water from the well. It would be hard to find two individuals with less in common than Jesus and the woman from Sychar. Jesus is the sinless Son of God. The woman’s sins against the Sixth Commandment (You shall not commit adultery) were obvious for everyone to see. She also wasn’t showing any signs of repentance. Jesus was born to Jewish parents. The woman was a Samaritan. Jews and Samaritans had a long-standing hatred for each other. As Jesus stopped to rest at Jacob’s well and the woman arrived to get some water, there seemed to be no reason why the two of them should have anything to say to each other.

But this woman was part of the reason why Jesus had to go through Samaria. Rather than ignoring her, Jesus took advantage of the one thing they did have in common. In doing so he showed a lost and condemned sinner the only way to eternal life. Both Jesus and the woman needed water. Jesus began his work by simply asking the woman to give him a drink. As you read the conversation between the two in our Bible lesson, notice how Jesus masterfully worked the conversation to show the woman her sinful life and to show her that she had a great need for the “living water” that only he could provide. As Jesus said “The water I will give him will become in him a spring of water, bubbling up to eternal life.” The living water Jesus provides is the good news that he is our Savior, who washes away our sins with his own precious blood and gives eternal life to all who trust in him as their Savior. This living water quenches our souls thirst for forgiveness of sins, eternal life and salvation. When we drink of the good news of Jesus and believe we will never need anything else to be saved.

It would have been easy for Jesus to take another route on the road to Galilee. But his love for lost souls made it necessary for him to go through Samaria. We’ll see the results of Jesus’ work at Sychar in our next lesson. As we read this portion of God’s Word, let us see how our Savior daily works in us through his Word. His Law shows us that our guilt was no less than the woman at Jacob’s well. His Gospel is the living water that quenches our thirsting souls with the good news of our salvation. Let us drink deeply of that living water daily and be filled up to eternal life.

Discussion Questions

1 – Jesus was thirsty. How did he use his need for water to turn his discussion with the woman at the well to spiritual matters?
Jesus and the Samaritan woman both needed water. This gave Jesus a natural place to start a conversation. From there it was an easy matter for him to switch the discussion from water for the physical body to water for the spiritual body. He talked about giving the woman a drink of living water. This intrigued her because she didn’t understand how Jesus could get water without something to draw it from the well with. Now that he had her full attention he could proceed with his discussion about living water.

2 – What is the living water Jesus spoke of?
Jesus Christ is the living water. Several prophesies in the Old Testament describe the promised Messiah in such a way. (See Psalm 42:1, Isaiah 49:10, Jeremiah 2:13) He is the water of life because he provides the only way to eternal life in heaven.

3 – In what way do those who drink of this living water never thirst again?
Jesus provides everything we need for eternal life. His sacrifice on the cross took away all our sins. His resurrection from the dead defeated the power of sin, death and the devil once and for all. We don’t need to add anything to what Jesus already did perfectly. We simply trust in him as our only Savior and we can be sure our way to heaven is certain.

4 – How did Jesus show the Samaritan woman her need for the living water?
He showed this woman her sins of adultery. She had no way to cover her sinful life. She needed the salvation that only he could bring her.

If you have any questions about the Word of God we studied in this lesson please contact Pastor Greg Tobison. You can send your questions to revgtobison@gmail.com.

The Gospel of John – Lesson 7 – John 3:22-36

22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside where he spent some time with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water there. People kept coming and were being baptized, 24 for John had not been thrown into prison yet. 25 Then an argument broke out between John’s disciples and a certain Jew about purification. 26 His disciples came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, about whom you testified—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him!” 27 John answered, “A man cannot receive a single thing, unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves are witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent ahead of him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. But the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and listens for him, is overjoyed when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.” 31 The one who comes from above is superior to everyone. The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in a way that belongs to the earth. The one who comes from heaven is superior to everyone. 32 He testifies about what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 The one who has received his testimony has certified that God is true. 34 In fact, the one whom God has sent speaks God’s words, for God gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has put everything in his hands. 36 The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who rejects the Son will not see life; instead, God’s wrath remains on him.

It’s just not fair. I worked so hard and this is all I get for my efforts. On the surface it would seem that John the Baptist had every right to feel that way. He’d given his best working daily in the wilderness of Judea preparing people’s hearts for the coming Savior. He didn’t hesitate to proclaim a message of repentance even among those who had the power to put him in prison or even take his life. (Example: King Herod) Now that the Savior arrived it seemed that John was being pushed into the background. The big crowds that once followed him were now turning to Jesus. The crowds coming to John were getting smaller.

But John wasn’t saddened by what was happening. In fact his heart was glad. John was a powerful messenger of God. Jesus even said in Matthew 11:11, “Amen I tell you: Among those born of women there has not appeared anyone greater than John the Baptist.” But John knew that he was still a sinful human being. He couldn’t do anything to earn his own salvation, much less save anyone else. He wasn’t even worthy to do even the humblest acts of service for his Lord. (See Matthew 3:11) John was glad for the arrival of the Savior God promised to send. Jesus was here for John’s salvation and for the salvation of all people (including us). It was necessary for the people to turn toward Jesus. It was necessary now that Jesus’ public ministry had begun that he must become greater and that John must become less. (See verse 30) The people needed to hear Jesus’ message and believe that he is the true Son of God and the Savior God promised to send.

Instead of feeling angry or jealous that the crowds following him were getting smaller, John kept on carrying out the role God gave him. He kept on pointing people to Jesus. There is some debate whether the words of verses 31-36 were spoken by John the Baptist or the apostle John whom God divinely inspired to write the Gospel of John. In the end, it really doesn’t matter. Both men continued to serve in their God-given role of pointing people to Jesus as long as God gave them the strength to do so. Both proclaimed that eternal life in heaven comes only through faith in Jesus Christ. Without Jesus we remain under God’s wrath and judgment.

Not long after the events of our lesson, John the Baptist was cast into prison. His time of public ministry ended. Not long after, John would die a martyr’s death. But no matter what his situation was, John continued his mission to point people to the Savior. He was faithful to the very end and now he enjoys eternal life with his Lord in heaven. We pray that our Lord would continue to give us strength to carry out whatever mission he gives us no matter what hardships we face. We believe that Jesus has already completed his mission to save us. Like John, an eternal reward is waiting for us through faith in Jesus.

Discussion Questions

1 – What complaint did John’s followers have concerning Jesus?
Before Jesus came along huge crowds were coming to John the Baptist to be baptized and to hear him preach. But now that Jesus was also preaching and baptizing he was attracting the bigger crowds. The crowds coming to see John were getting smaller. It didn’t seem right to them that John had worked so hard and now everyone was seemingly turning their back on him.

2 – How did John answer his disciples?
John knew that his role was to prepare the way for Jesus by calling people to repent of their sins and trust in the Savior God was about to provide. Now the Savior had come. John could not help but be glad that people were now going to Jesus. John confessed again he was not the Christ. He could not save anyone. Only Jesus could bring forgiveness of sins and eternal life in heaven.

3 – What does John’s answer say to us when we become jealous of others who seem to have greater gifts and enjoy greater success in service to the Lord?
We are not here to bring glory to ourselves. We are God’s servants. Our goal is to give glory to God by pointing people to Jesus as their Savior. If someone else seems to be enjoying greater success than we do in this work we should be glad. God is being glorified by their work as he is being glorified by our work. In the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30 one servant was given five talents and another was given two. The one who had five talents served God faithfully by earning five more. The one with two talents worked hard and earned two more talents. In the end the master (God) commended both of them for their faithful service. As God’s people we should faithfully serve our Lord with whatever gifts he has given us. We should give thanks for our opportunities to serve and for the co-workers in Christ who serve along with us.

If you have any questions about the Word of God we studied in this lesson please contact Pastor Greg Tobison. You can send your questions to revgtobison@gmail.com.

The Gospel of John – Lesson 6 – John 3:1-21

There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these miraculous signs you are doing unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus replied, “Amen, Amen, I tell you: Unless someone is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “Amen, Amen, I tell you: Unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God! 6 Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh. Whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be surprised when I tell you that you must be born from above. 8 The wind blows where it pleases. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 “How can these things be?” asked Nicodemus. 10 “You are the teacher of Israel,” Jesus answered, “and you do not know these things? 11 Amen, Amen, I tell you: We speak what we know, and we testify about what we have seen. But you people do not accept our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven, except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man, who is in heaven. 14 “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 The one who believes in him is not condemned, but the one who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. 19 This is the basis for the judgment: The light has come into the world, yet people loved the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds were evil. 20 In fact, everyone who practices wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, or else his deeds would be exposed. 21 But the one who does what is true comes toward the light, in order that his deeds may be seen as having been done in connection with God.”

Nicodemus was an important man among the Jews. He was a member of the Jewish ruling council (also known as the Sanhedrin). He also believed that Jesus was a teacher sent by God. The miracles Jesus was doing clearly proved this. Nicodemus wanted to learn more about Jesus. But most of his fellow members of the Sanhedrin rejected Jesus. If Nicodemus wanted to know more about Jesus he needed to come to him secretly under the cover of darkness.

Nicodemus quickly found out he had more to learn than he expected. Jesus wasn’t merely a teacher sent from God. Jesus is the Son of God in the flesh. There is no other way to eternal life expect through faith in Jesus. To have this faith a person needed to be “born from above.” Only the Holy Spirit can work such faith in our hearts. The means the Spirit uses is water (Baptism) and the Word.

Nicodemus was struggling with what Jesus was saying, so Jesus took him to the Holy Scriptures to explain. He used the account of Moses and the bronze snake. When Israel rebelled against God in the wilderness, God sent poisonous snakes into the camp. Many Israelites died. When the people cried out to God for mercy, the Lord took pity on them. He ordered Moses to construct a bronze snake and put it on a pole. Then he ordered all the Israelites to look at the snake. Those who trusted God and did what he said would live. Those who did not would die.

The people of Israel didn’t realize it at the time, but the bronze snake was a symbol that pointed ahead to Christ. Jesus explained the connection. Those who trusted God’s promise concerning the bronze snake lived. Jesus foretold the time was coming soon that he would be lifted up like the bronze snake. Jesus would be nailed to a cross as God’s own sacrifice for the sins of the world. God made this sacrifice because of his undeserved love for us. Because he loves us he doesn’t want us to be condemned to the eternal fires of hell. He wants us to be saved and have eternal life in heaven. According to God’s own promise, those who look to Jesus and believe will have eternal life. Those who do not believe will be eternally condemned.

Did Nicodemus believe what Jesus said? On the day Jesus died, a man named Joseph from Arimathea requested permission to take the body of Jesus and place it in his own tomb. John 19 tells us that Nicodemus came with him with spices to prepare the body of Jesus for burial. Nicodemus no longer needed to come to Jesus in secret. By his actions he openly confessed his devotion to Jesus. He no longer feared those who opposed Jesus. We praise God for the gift of faith in Jesus Christ. Through this saving faith we also have no reason to fear. Jesus has overcome sin, death and the devil for us. We look to Jesus in faith knowing that in him we will not perish, but have eternal life.

Discussion Questions

1 – On the surface, Jesus’ answer in verse 3 seemed to ignore Nicodemus’ original statement. What was Jesus trying to teach Nicodemus?
Nicodemus recognized Jesus was a great teacher sent from God. Jesus responded by teaching Nicodemus the most important message of all. Nicodemus needed to learn the way to eternal life was not through striving to keep the commands of God’s Law. He needed to learn the only way to eternal life was Jesus Christ.

2 – What shortcomings did Jesus reveal about Nicodemus’ knowledge of the Holy Scriptures?
Nicodemus undoubtedly knew the Holy Scriptures very well. But he didn’t understand that the Holy Scriptures pointed to Jesus. He also didn’t understand that the only way to eternal life was through faith in Jesus as his Savior.

3 – Verse 16 is one of the best known verses in the Bible. What does Jesus teach us in these words?
In the previous verse, Jesus used the well-known example of Moses lifting up the snake in the wilderness. When the Israelites rebelled against God, the Lord sent poisonous snakes into the camp. Thousands died as a result. When the people cried out in repentance, the Lord instructed Moses to make a snake from bronze and put it on a pole. Everyone who looked at the snake would be saved. In the same way Jesus foretold how he would be lifted up on the cross as the one sacrifice for all-time for our salvation. This sacrifice shows God’s amazing love for us. This love caused him to sacrifice his own Son. Whoever believes in Jesus Christ as their only Savior will be forgiven of their sins and receive eternal life in heaven. God proves that his love for us is undeserved. He loved us despite our countless sins against him. His love is unconditional. He loves us because he chooses to love us. His love is unchanging. There will never be a time when God’s love for us in Christ will ever run out.

4 – Today many people call themselves “born again Christians.” What does Jesus teach us about someone who is truly born again?
A literal translation of Jesus’ words in John 3:3 is “Amen, amen I say to you, unless someone is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” By saying “amen” twice Jesus emphasized the solemn truth of his words. To have eternal life someone must believe in Jesus Christ as their only Savior. This faith cannot happen by a human decision. Such faith must come from above. As Jesus explained in verse 5, we must be born of water and the Spirit. Water and Spirit do not refer to two separate experiences. The Holy Spirit enters us through the waters of Baptism and fills us with saving faith in Jesus. We no longer look to ourselves to be right with God. We put our trust fully in Jesus Christ.

If you have any questions about the Word of God we studied in this lesson please contact Pastor Greg Tobison. You can send your questions to revgtobison@gmail.com.


The Gospel of John – Lesson 5 – John 2:12-25

12 After this, he went down to Capernaum with his mother, brothers, and disciples and they stayed there for a few days. 13 The Jewish Passover was near, so Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and money changers sitting at tables. 15 He made a whip of cords and drove everyone out of the temple courts, along with the sheep and oxen. He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those selling doves he said, “Get these things out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a place of business!” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” 18 So the Jews responded, “What sign are you going to show us to prove you can do these things?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.” 20 The Jews said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple! And you are going to raise it in three days?” 21 But Jesus was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 When Jesus was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this. Then they believed the Scripture and what Jesus had said. 23 While he was in Jerusalem for the Passover Festival, many believed in his name as they observed the miraculous signs he was doing. 24 But Jesus, on his part, was not entrusting himself to them, because he knew them all. 25 He did not need anyone to testify about man, because he himself knew what was in man.

Passover was an important time for the Jewish people. All Jewish males 12 years and older were supposed to come to Jerusalem for the celebration. Often the rest of the family would come with them. This meant plenty of opportunities for people in Jerusalem to make some money. Those coming from out of town would need to purchase a year-old lamb for the Passover feast. They would need animals to sacrifice on the altar. Foreign visitors would need to change money so they could pay the temple tax in Jewish currency. What better place to set up shop to provide these important services than the temple courts?

On the surface this might have sounded like a good idea. But let’s consider the consequences. Just imagine what it would be like to come to church on Sunday morning and there are tables set up everywhere with people trying to sell something. Naturally there would be lots of noise and people try to get your attention to come to their table. How well would you be able to concentrate on worshipping your Lord in that kind of environment? The temple in Jerusalem was the special place of worship for the Jewish people. The temple was constructed according to God’s demands given at Mt. Sinai during the time of Moses. God also laid out special instruction for those leading worship at the temple and for those who came there to worship. But now, these merchants had turned God’s house into a marketplace. The focus was now on making money and not on worshipping God. Jesus needed to take corrective action. As the Son of God he quickly took total control of the situation. He drove all the sellers out of the temple. No one was able to withstand his righteous wrath. All this happened to fulfill the words of Psalm 69:9, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

The leaders of the Jews were outraged. They demanded to know what authority Jesus had to cause such an uproar. Jesus responded that he would “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.” John provides the added insight that Jesus was pointing ahead to his death and resurrection. He would fulfill everything the Holy Scriptures promised about the Messiah. In doing so, Jesus proved he is the Son of God and therefore he had the authority to restore proper order in the house of the Lord.

Clearly the leaders of the Jesus didn’t understand what Jesus was saying at the time. Sometimes we also don’t fully understand everything our Lord is saying to us in his Word. In those times, may we also follow the disciple’s example by remembering his Word and searching the Scriptures for understanding. Remember the Bible is God’s message to us. He wants us to understand his Word. Let us continue to search his message daily and pray that he will give us understanding of what he is teaching us.

Discussion Questions

1 – Why was it necessary for Jesus to drive out those who were transacting business in the temple courts?
The temple in the Jerusalem was a place to go and worship the Lord. Those who were selling animals and exchanging currency had turned this place of worship into a marketplace. Worshipping God had been replaced by pursuing worldly wealth. It was necessary for Jesus to intervene to restore the proper use of God’s house.

2 – What does Jesus teach us about proper respect for the house of the Lord?
Church is meant to be a place to worship the Lord and to be fed by his Word and the Sacraments. Certainly it is permissible to use the church building for other activities, but we should not allow any activities in the church that would distract from our main focus, which is continuing to grow in the good news of Jesus Christ.

3 – What sign did Jesus give to prove he had the authority to clear all the merchants out of the temple?
Jesus promised to destroy this temple (referring to his body) and raise it again in three days. Jesus was pointing ahead to his death and resurrection. In this way Jesus would again prove that he is the Son of God. As true God he has full authority over all things. Therefore he had every right to drive out those who were using God’s temple for sinful purposes.

4 – A pastor once said, “Bible study often bears fruit long after the Bible is closed.” What did he mean by this? (Consider verse 22)
Jesus’ disciples didn’t understand Jesus’ promise to “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days” at the time he first spoke the words. But after Jesus rose from the dead they understood that he was foretelling his resurrection. This served to strengthen their trust in God’s promises in the Holy Scriptures. God can also use the Word we studied to bring to strengthen and comfort us days, months or even years later. God promises that when his Word goes out from his mouth it will always achieve the purpose God intended. (See Isaiah 55:11) God can and will achieve that purpose in the time he chooses.

If you have any questions about the Word of God we studied in this lesson please contact Pastor Greg Tobison. You can send your questions to revgtobison@gmail.com.

The Gospel of John – Lesson 4 – John 2:1-11

1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” 11What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples put their faith in him.

If you’ve ever helped plan a wedding you know there are a lot of details to be worked out. Who will officiate at the wedding? Who will be in the wedding party? Where will the reception be? Who will be on the guest list? Those who plan the wedding want everything to be just right. It would be embarrassing if some important detail was missed.

Those who planned the wedding at Cana in our Bible reading today experienced one of those really embarrassing moments. They ran out of wine. Now remember in those days they didn’t have the large selection of beverages that we enjoy today. Wine was a staple item in meals at the time. To run out of wine at a wedding banquet was a big problem. When Jesus’ mother became aware of the situation she took the problem to her son. Mary knew Jesus was no ordinary young man. He is the true Son of God and the promised Savior of the world. If anyone could help solve this embarrassing matter it was Jesus.

Jesus’s answer might seem a little unusual or perhaps even disrespectful to his mother. But Jesus had an important lesson to teach Mary. He was her son but he was also her Lord. His mission in this world was to fulfill everything needed to complete God’s plan for our salvation. Mary needed to understand that everything Jesus did was not according to her will but rather according to the will of his heavenly Father.

Mary seemed to understand this. She put her trust in her Son and left everything in his hands. Her trust was well placed. Jesus miraculously provided a good quantity of fine wine for the remainder of the wedding banquet. Why did Jesus do this amazing miracle? The answer comes in the closing verse of our reading. This was the first miracle recorded miracle of Jesus. This miracle accomplished more than provide for the earthly needs of those at the wedding banquet. Through this miracle Jesus proved that he is the true Son of God. His disciples witnessed what Jesus had done and they believed the truth about him. This miraculous sign is also recorded in the Holy Scriptures that we can also put our faith in Jesus as our Savior.

Discussion Questions

1 – How did Mary show her trust in Jesus?
She showed her trust in two ways. When she became aware of the shortage of wine at the wedding banquet she took the matter directly to Jesus. She didn’t make any demands of him. She simply told her Son what had happened and trusted he would know what to do. When Jesus didn’t immediately indicate he would help, Mary showed her trust again. She didn’t press the matter with Jesus any further. She left the matter in his hands after directing the servants to do whatever Jesus told them to do.

2 – Some people have voiced concerns that Jesus provided so much wine (about 120-180 gallons). What do we need to remember when we evaluate Jesus gift?
First we need to remember that wedding banquets at that time lasted several days. We don’t know how many days were left to the banquet or how many guests were present. We can’t say that Jesus provided too much wine without knowing all the details. We also need to remember that every gift God gives us is a good gift. If people use God’s good gifts for evil purposes (such as getting drunk and disorderly) that is the fault of sinful human beings and not the fault of God.

3 – What can we learn about Jesus from this miracle?
We can first of all see that God is concerned for our daily needs. Running out of supplies at a wedding might seem like too small of a matter to bring to our Lord. Remember the words of 1 Peter 5:7, “Cast all your anxieties on him because he cares for you.” Our Lord cares about us and all our needs, big and small. He may not always give us a miracle answer, but he will always help us in the way that is best. Also remember his goal in all things is that we believe in him as our Savior so that we may have eternal life in his name. Jesus used this miracle, and everything he does to lead us to put our trust in him.

If you have any questions about the Word of God we studied in this lesson please contact Pastor Greg Tobison. You can send your questions to revgtobison@gmail.com.