The Dawn Of A New Day

                                                         Sunday School Lesson
                                                                April 8,2012
Lesson Focus:
The word Lives On
Lesson Scripture:
John 20:1-10,19-20


INTRODUCTION.  The bodily resurrection of Christ is one thing that sets Christianity apart from the religions of the world. His resurrection also gives His followers assurance of forgiveness and of their own future resurrection.  So important is the resurrection to the Christian faith that Paul said, “If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins” (see I Corinthians 15:17).  All over the world this Sunday, Christians are celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  In this week’s lesson we will take a look at the details of that first Resurrection Sunday.                                  

(John 20:1).  John begins our lesson by saying “The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.”  Only Mary Magdalene is mentioned here, but Joanna, Mary, the mother of James, and other women are included in Luke’s account (see Luke 24:1, 10).  Mark in his gospel included Salome, the wife of Zebedee and mother of James and John (see Mark 16:1).  All these women came to the sepulcher “early, when it was yet dark” on “The first day of the week.”  Note: We don’t know for sure why John only mentions Mary Magdelene out of whom Jesus cast out seven demons (see Luke 8:2).  It may be because she was the first person to see Jesus after His resurrection and John is the only gospel writer who gives the details of the conversation she had with Jesus at that time.  It was now Sunday morning, the first day of the week “when it was yet dark” or just before dawn, and these women had come to Jesus’ tomb with the intention of anointing Jesus’ body with the proper burial spices (see Luke 24:1).  They may have wanted to complete the anointing process that they thought was not finished.  Jesus had to be buried before evening on the Passover which began at evening (see John 19:38-42).  In addition, the law stated that anyone hanged on a tree had to be buried before evening (see Deuteronomy 21:22-23; John 19:31).  When the women arrived at the tomb they “seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.”  The stone that was placed over Jesus tomb had been rolled away.  Matthew’s account tells us that an angel descended from heaven and rolled the stone away from the door of the tomb.            

(vs. 2).  It appears that Mary Magdelene was the first of the women to get to the tomb and John says, “Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the LORD out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.”   The Bible does not tell us whether Mary Magdalene looked into the tomb or not.  What we are told is that once she saw the stone was moved away she ran back and found Simon Peter and “the other disciple, whom Jesus loved.”  This disciple was the Apostle John himself. Throughout his gospel he refers to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.”  Mary Magdalene told them that someone had moved the Lord’s body but she didn’t know where to.  In the meantime, the other women reached the tomb, entered it and found Jesus’ body gone, and two angels who announced His resurrection (see Luke 24:4-7).  These women also hurried off to report these things to the disciples (see Luke 24:9-10), who didn’t believe them and considered their words “as idle tales” (see Luke 24:11).  When the women reported that Jesus’ body was missing, the disciples never seemed to consider the possibility of a resurrection even though Jesus had told them about it numerous times (see Matthew 16:21; 17:23; 20:17-19).          

(vs. 3).  When Mary Magdalene told Peter and John what had happened, this verse says “Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.”  Both Peter and John, “that other disciple” ran to Jesus’ tomb.    

(vs. 4).  Then John writes “So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.”  Both Peter and John left for the sepulcher, or tomb together, but John outran Peter and arrived first.  It is widely accepted by most scholars that John was younger than Peter, therefore making him faster.                    

(vs. 5).  John reached the tomb first “And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.”  As soon as John reached the tomb, he didn’t enter the tomb immediately, but he did stoop down to look inside.  The linen clothes caught John’s eye lying where Jesus’ body should’ve been. The linen clothes were used to wrap Jesus before His burial (see John 19:40).  They were supplied by Joseph of Arimathaea along with the spices brought by Nicodemus.  They both assisted in the burial of Jesus (see John 19:38-40; Mark 15:46).  The phrase “saw the linen clothes lying” indicate that linen grave-clothes were laying there looking like Jesus just simply passed through them!  This was evidence that the body was not stolen. No thief or person moving the body would take the time to unwrap it.

(Vs.6). Next John writes that “Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie.”  When Peter arrived at the tomb, he walked right inside, without giving the matter a second thought.  Peter saw the same thing that John saw.  There were the linen clothes lying neatly with no body in them.          

(vs. 7).  Here John gives us the details of exactly what he and Peter saw.  He said “And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.”  Peter noticed the “napkin” or piece of cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head.  It wasn’t lying with the linen clothes used to wrap Jesus’ body.  The head “napkin” was folded neatly and laid in a place by itself.  All of this was obvious proof that Jesus had risen from the dead.  The body wrappings were lying where they would be if Jesus was still in them.  It looked as if Jesus’ body slipped right out of the clothes.  The linen strips had not been cut or ripped in any way.  Everything was exactly as it was, except that the body of Jesus was not there. There was every indication of orderliness and not a trace of thievery.     

( vs.8). At this point John says about himself “Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.”  John decided to go into the sepulcher as well.  He “saw, and believed.”  In other words what he saw led him to believe.  The same thing is not said of Peter at this time.  In fact, Luke 24:12 reports that Peter “departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.”  Peter may have been quick to rush into the tomb, but John was quicker to believe.  When John saw the whole scene, he finally understood what Jesus had said about the resurrection.  As he looked upon the empty tomb he believed.

(vs. 9).  If we are wondering why it took so long for these men to believe that Christ had risen from the dead, John tells us why in this verse. He wrote “For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.”  Yes Jesus had told them more than once that He would be killed and rise again on the third day (see Matthew 16:21; 17:23; 20:17-19).  But our text says, “they knew not the scripture.”  No doubt John was referring to Old Testament Scriptures.  Passages such as Psalm 2:7 compared with Acts 13:33, Psalm 16:10 compared with Acts 2;24-27 and 13:35, and Psalm 110:1, 4 compared with Hebrews 6:20 should come to the Christian’s mind now.  Note: John believed on the basis of the evidence in the empty tomb, and then the truth of Scripture brought confirming evidence.  The truth is that we ought to believe the Scriptures on their own testimony first.  Then whatever external evidence there may be should serve to confirm our faith.

(vs. 10).  In this verse John said, “Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.”  After they gazed for a while in utter amazement, Peter and John turned and went home.  One can’t help but wonder what Peter and John said and did as they went home.  However, Luke gives us a bit of information on this.  His account says that when they got back from the sepulcher, they reported that they had found it empty as the women had said.  They also told the other disciples that they did not see Jesus (see Luke 24:24).           

(vs. 19).  Moving to this verse, John wrote “Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.”   That same Sunday “at evening” Jesus appeared to the disciples as they met behind closed doors “for fear of the Jews.”  The disciples were afraid that the Jewish leaders would take some action against them now that Jesus was dead.  Suddenly “Jesus stood in the midst.”  His resurrection body was not subject to the limitations of His previous body.  Even the shut or locked doors couldn’t keep Jesus out.  His disciples were all afraid, but Jesus said to them “Peace be unto you.”   The risen Lord quickly set them at ease.

(vs. 20).  John here says that after Jesus settled their fears, “he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the LORD.”  So that there would be no doubt from that moment on, the Saviour showed His disciples his hands and his side.  No wonder they were “glad, when they saw the LORD.”  Note: Luke 24:37 says that the disciples at first thought that they were seeing a ghost or spirit when Jesus appeared.  Jesus carefully showed them that He was there in a real body of flesh and bones.  He showed them places where He had been wounded so that they would be sure of His identity.

Conclusion.  The empty tomb is historical evidence that Jesus lives.  To the faithful it produces joy.  We rejoice because Jesus is alive today.  He is our living Word.  When we truly grasp the truth about the living Word of God, our lives are transformed and freed from anxiety and fear.  The event of the resurrection changes everything for us.

Embrace the Truth

                                                                   Sunday School Lesson
                                                                          April 1, 2012
Lesson Focus:
Everyone who listens to
Jesus knows the truth.
Lesson Scripture:
John 18:28-38

INTRODUCTION.  In a world dominated by Satan, who himself was a liar and the father of lies (see John 8:44), there was and is a great need for truth.  Among other reasons, Christ came into the world to testify to the truth.  Such a commodity was lacking at the trials of Jesus, when He who knew no sin was falsely condemned and then taken to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. Before His civil trial before Pilate, Jesus faced three religious trials before the Jewish leadership.  He was first taken to Annas, who was the former high priest (see John 18:12-13).  However, he was very powerful and actually ran the show among the religious leaders.  The second religious trial was an appearance before Caiaphas, who was the current high priest (see Matthew 26:57-68; Luke 22:54-62).  Even though many of the scribes and elders of the Sanhedrin Council were there, a third trial was held before the full Sanhedrin as daylight approached (see Luke 22:66-71).  Except for the third trial, the other two were illegal.  The Sanhedrin Council quickly drummed up a verdict condemning Jesus of blasphemy because He claimed to be the Son of God.They actually reached the verdict during the night (see Matthew26:57,62-66;27:1)but announced it at dawn in order to make it look like a legal trial and verdict.          

(John 18:28).  Since any execution had to be approved by the Romans, following Jesus’ trial before the Sanhedrin, the text says “Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.”In order to get the approval to put Jesus to death, the people took Jesus to “the hall of judgement” which was Pilate’s residence and headquarters.  It was also called the “Praetorium” (see (Mark 15:15-16).We are told that “it was early.”The Jewish Passover was that evening, so the Jewish leaders wanted Jesus to be killed before the Passover began.John also added that “they (the Jewish leaders) themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.”These Jewish leaders who wanted Pilate to put Jesus to death refused to go into the “judgment hall” to keep from defiling themselves and not being able to eat the Passover meal.To be unclean meant that these men would have to refrain from worship and participation in any Jewish feasts until they were cleansed by the proper procedures stated in the law.       

(vs. 29).  This verse says “Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?”Since the Jewish leaders refused to enter the judgment hall, Pilate went out to them.  Roman law stated that no trial could be conducted unless specific charges were brought against the defendant.Therefore Pilate asked the Jews “What accusation bring ye against this man?”Pilate wanted to know what charges were being brought against Jesus.            

(vs. 30).  The Jewish leaders in this verse responded to Pilate: “They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.”Realizing that they didn’t have any charges that would stand up in a Roman trial, the Jews tried to evade the question by calling Jesus “a malefactor.”  This was a general term for a criminal.The Sanhedrin had condemned Jesus with a charge of blasphemy but that wouldn’t matter in Roman law and the Jews knew that.So they simply said that if Jesus wasn’t a criminal they wouldn’t have brought him before Pilate. No doubt they originally thought Pilate would be on their side, but since he asked for a formal accusation they found themselves in a difficult position.                   

(vs. 31).  Pilate’s reply to the Jews was “Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death.” Pilate no doubt knew that this case was going to be trouble for him so he tried to remove himself from it by commanding the Jews to “judge him according to your law.”The charges being brought against Jesus were religious in nature not civil, so Pilate tried to put the ball back in the Jews’ court.The Jews quickly put the case back into Pilate’s lap when they said,“It is not lawful for us to put any man to death.”They reminded Pilate that they didn’t have the legal authority to put a man to death.Now Pilate was faced with a major decision, because as the Roman governor of Judea, he was the only one who could give the order for an execution.             

(vs. 32).  John now states that all this was done so that the “saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.”  John was saying that since only the Roman governor could order an execution, this would lead to the fulfillment of Jesus’ “saying” or words given in Matthew 20:19: “And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.”   This verse could also refer to other Scriptures that prophesied Jesus would die by crucifixion.  In other verses, Jesus spoke about His death as being lifted up (see John 3:14: 8:28; 18:32).  The only method of execution that lifted a person up was crucifixion.  The Jews’ method of execution traditionally was stoning.The Roman method was crucifixion. 

(vs. 33).  After the Jews advised Pilate that they didn’t have the authority to put anyone to death, John then writes, “Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?”  In Luke’s account, we are told that when the Jews brought Jesus before Pilate, they said that Jesus was against paying tribute to Caesar and also that He was Christ, a King (see Luke 23:1-2).  No doubt, the Jews realized that accusing Jesus of being a King would be seen by the Romans as treason and a threat to their empire, thus forcing Pilate’s hand to sentence Jesus to death.  After meeting with the crowd, Pilate went back into the judgment hall and asked Jesus, “Art thou the King of the Jews?”  Pilate needed to get to the truth about the claim to be king just in case there was some kind of threat to Rome involved.          

(vs. 34).  In Matthew’s account Jesus gives an answer that John does not include. Matthew 27:11 says that Jesus’ first reply to Pilate was “Thou sayest” which meant “Yes, it is as you say.”  Then according to John, Jesus answered Pilate’s original question “Art thou the King of the Jews” with “Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?”  Jesus was asking Pilate if that was his own idea or did someone else give it to him, like the Jews leaders.     

(vs. 35).  Pilate responded to Jesus’ question with a question, maybe in an attempt to be sarcastic.  “Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?”  By answering “Am I a Jew?” Pilate was implying that since he was not a Jew he had no idea why all of this was happening to Jesus.But he did point out that he wasn’t the one who arrested Jesus but “Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me.”  Pilate made it plain that Jesus’ own people brought Him before the governor.  Since Pilate was not a Jew and really wasn’t sure why Jesus was brought before him, He asked Jesus “what hast thou done?”  If there was any problem that would endanger Roman rule Pilate needed to know about it.  He wanted to find out the truth about what was going on.          

(vs. 36).  When Pilate asked Jesus what had he done to be brought before him “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.”  By saying “My kingdom is not of this world” Jesus was admitting to being a king, but He was also letting Pilate know that He was not a political threat to Rome.  Jesus went on to say that if His kingdom was merely an earthly kingdom like the Roman Empire, all those who serve Him (including His disciples) would fight to keep Him from being arrested by the Jewish religious leaders.  Then Jesus said, “but now is my kingdom not from hence.”  Jesus was saying that His servants hadn’t come to His defense because His kingdom was not an earthly kingdom. 

(John 18:37).  In response to Jesus’ answer about His kingdom, “Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.”  Pilate made another attempt to get to the bottom of the problem of this trial and directly asked Jesus again, “Art thou a king then?”  Jesus then affirmed it by saying “Thou sayest that I am a king” and went on to clarify His calling.  Jesus declared that He was born into this world to “bear witness unto the truth” or to bring us the truth of God.  Only those who are “of the truth” or on the side of truth will hear and understand what Jesus was saying.  Note: Spiritual truth cannot be understood by those who are not part of God’s family.  Spiritual truth can only be understood by those who are born again and walk under the Spirit’s guidance.  Even some immature Christians cannot grasp the deeper truths of God’s teachings (see I Corinthians 3:1-4). Therefore, it should be the practice of every believer to continually grow in spiritual understanding. It’s interesting that Pilate ended His questioning of Jesus with the cynical remark “what is truth?”  Unfortunately he didn’t wait for an answer, even though the answer was standing right in front of him (see John 14:6).              

                          
IV. Conclusion.  People who want to know the real truth will follow the truth as expressed in Jesus.  This week’s lesson has taught us that Jesus is the truth of God and that He bore witness to that truth.  Our response should be to receive this truth that has come from God.

God’s Word Saves

                                                              Sunday School Lesson
                                                                 March 25, 2012

                                 
Lesson:  John 3:11-21;                                                                                        
Golden Text:  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
                                                                       

 I.  INTRODUCTION.  Almost all people in the world want to go to heaven when they die, and they also want to know for sure that that is where they are going.This week we take a look at the simple solution God has offered us for this great dilemma through His Son Jesus Christ.  He died so that we might live.Salvation comes when we trust Jesus and what He has already accomplished for us. 

                                          

II. THE DANGER OF UNBELIEF (John 3:11-15). Nicodemus had earlier greeted Jesus as a teacher from God and one whom God had empowered to work miracles (see John 3:1-2).  He was in need of learning much more about Jesus and what He offered.Nicodemus had difficulty understanding what Jesus told him about being born again (see John 3:3-8).Nicodemus asked Jesus, “How can these things be?” (see John 3:9), to which Jesus answered with a question of His own: “Art thou a master (or teacher) of Israel, and knowest not these things?” (see John 3:10).  This is where our printed text begins,                                                           

                                                             
     A. Rejecting the witness (John 3:11-12).            

1. (vs. 11).  After questioning Nicodemus about being a teacher in Israel (since he was a Pharisee) and his not knowing about being born again, Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.”  The word “We” indicates that Jesus was probably talking about He and John the Baptist, for both of them had given the basis for understanding the way of salvation.  This is what Jesus meant by “We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen.”  However, Jesus said but “ye receive not our witness.” The use of the word “ye” is plural and refers to the people of Israel not just Nicodemus.  Jesus was condemning the unbelief of all Israelites.  Three years later, Israel’s unbelief would result in Jesus’ crucifixion. However, many individual Jews would be saved.           

2.  (vs. 12).  Jesus continued to say, “If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?”   The “earthly things” refer to verses 7-8 where Jesus gave illustrations using the physical birth for the new birth, and the wind for the invisible but powerful ministry of the Holy Spirit.  Note: Nicodemus had wondered how the things Jesus was saying about a person needing to be born again (see John 3:3) could really be true (see John 3:9).  To explain the new birth to Nicodemus, Jesus in verses 7-8 (not a part of our printed text) in essence said that the Holy Spirit in the believer can be compared to the action of the wind in a forest.  The presence of the wind can be seen by the waving branches and rusting leaves of the trees.  Likewise, the believer shows by his or her deeds and words that the Spirit has profoundly influenced him or her.   Nicodemus couldn’t understand and believe Jesus’ basic teachings about the new birth, which He illustrated by earthly things.  Since Nicodemus could not believe the “earthly things” neither would he be able to understanding the “heavenly things” that Jesus would teach him. This respected Jewish leader was mystified.  If he couldn’t comprehend basic teachings about regeneration (the new birth), which Jesus had illustrated with earthly analogies, how could he grasp more complex heavenly truths?  He couldn’t.  Faith in Christ is important not only for the new birth, but also for grasping the truth God gives for Christian living.      

                                                           

B.  Coming down from heaven (John 3:13).  Jesus then said to Nicodemus “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.”   Jesus was saying that no one can come to know God without divine revelation.  No “man,” only Jesus “came down from heaven” and has gone into heaven to gain knowledge of God and returned to earth to share that knowledge.  Nicodemus needed to be taught the things of God by God’s special Envoy, Jesus Christ. God’s incarnate Son was fully qualified to reveal God having come from God’s presence.  The description “Son of man” is a reference to Jesus Christ, the God-Man, the Messiah (see Daniel 7:13).  It emphasizes Jesus’ true humanity.  The phrase “which is in heaven” simply means that even though Christ was on earth at the time, He still had a direct connection with His Father in heaven and being divine Himself, was in heaven too. 

                                                  
C.  Lifting up the Son of Man (John 3:14-15).              

1. (vs. 14).  Here Jesus said, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.”   The incident described here is recorded in Numbers 21:6-9.  Jesus used it to explain how the coming of the Son of Man would bring salvation for the people on earth.  During the wilderness wandering in Moses’ day, the Israelites complained about leaving Egypt and blamed Moses for bringing them into the wilderness to die of starvation.  God sent fiery serpents among the Israelites as a divine judgment.  The serpents fatally bit many people because of their unbelief and rebellion.  Moses offered an intercessory prayer when the people confessed their sin.  God then responded by having Moses make a bronze serpent and put it on a pole so that those who were bitten could look up at it and be healed.  The elevated serpent pictured Christ, who would be lifted up on Calvary’s cross.  In faith the Israelites looked at the bronze serpent and were saved from death; likewise, sinners are saved by looking in faith to the crucified Christ.  It is a simple matter of doing exactly what God said to do without any other human effort whatsoever (see Ephesians 2:8-10).  To show the necessity of Jesus being crucified, He said just like the bronze serpent, “even so must the Son of man be lifted up.”  The word “must” indicates that Jesus being lifted up on Calvary’s cross was a divine necessity.          

2. (vs. 15).  Then Jesus told Nicodemus that the reason why He had to be lifted up was so “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”   Salvation comes when we look up to Jesus believing that He will save us from sin’s deadly bite.  Jesus also said what would happen to “whosoever believeth in him.”  Anyone who believed in Him would not “perish” or be completely destroyed, but instead they would have “eternal life.”   Jesus’ death on the cross has provided the payment for our sins and the only requirement for salvation is to look to Him in faith (believe on Him and His works). 

                                            
III. THE IMPORTANCE OF BELIEF (John 3:16-21)    
A.  Receiving eternal life (John 3:16-17).          

1. (vs. 16).  Jesus continued to say, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  This verse is the clearest declaration anywhere that salvation is free, a gift from God when we believe in His son.  It declares that God “so loved” everyone He created, “the world,” and was willing to give the highest sacrifice possible for their redemption and assurance of heaven.  The height of true love is the willingness to sacrifice anything necessary for the good of the one loved.  God gave His one and only Son for us!  The promise in this verse is that those who believe in Jesus will not “perish.”  The Greek word used here is apollumi, and it means “to be completely destroyed.”  This refers to eternal death, or eternal separation from God.  It does not refer to physical death alone because we will all die physically unless Jesus returns for us soon.  The “everlasting life” promised here is living forever in the very presence of God where there will be no more death, sickness, evil, or sin (see John 14:3; I Thessalonians 4:17; Revelation 21:4).           

2. (vs. 17).  Just in case anyone thought God deliberately planned the incarnation and crucifixion of Jesus in order to condemn the world, Jesus denied such an idea when He said, “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”  People born in sin condemn themselves before the holy God by continuing in sin.  From eternity past, God’s will has been to save those He created (see Ephesians 1:4-5).  Although sinners deserve eternal death, God desires that they be saved (see Ezekiel 18:32; Luke 9:56; I Timothy 2:3-4; II Peter 3:9).       

                                                     
B. Escaping condemnation (John 3:18-19).          

1. (vs. 18).  Jesus continued to say, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”  Those who believe in Jesus Christ are not condemned to eternal separation from God, but those who don’t believe are already condemned.  Jesus said that the reason they are condemned is because they haven’t “believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”  People are not condemned to eternal damnation because of their sins, it is because they don’t believe in Jesus Christ, the only Son of God.  The Apostle Paul would later write, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).  This type of reassurance would cause one to wonder why anyone would refuse the offer of salvation that Jesus gives.          

2. (vs. 19).  In this verse Jesus gives the explanation for why people reject God’s gift of salvation.  He said “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”   When Jesus came into the world, He brought the light of eternal life so that people could have the opportunity to live with Him forever.  However, men condemned themselves because they “loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”  In other words, people by nature resist the truth because it exposes their sinfulness and the darkness in their lives.  Note: In the minds of many people, sinful living is fun and enjoyable, and they don’t want to give it up.  They would rather continue with their sinful lifestyle.  Mankind does not love darkness for itself but rather for what darkness hides.  If a person can stay out of the light of divine truth, he can continue to enjoy his sinful living.                

                                                                   
C. Finding light (John 3:20-21).            

1. (vs. 20).  Continuing His explanation of why people reject salvation, Jesus said, “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.”  The person who lives in sin or darkness, hates the light of the gospel message and won’t come to accept it “lest his deeds should be reproved.”  In other words, the closer a person comes to the light of the gospel, the more his sinfulness is exposed.  Many people who have heard the plan of salvation can explain it and even understand it but yet they still refuse to accept it.  They would rather remain in the darkness of their sin and commit spiritual suicide.

2. (vs. 21).  Yes, there are those who do evil and hate the light of the gospel, but here Jesus says, “But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”  The one who lives by the truth accepts the light of the gospel message so “that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”  This simply means that it can plainly be seen by the deeds of the saved person that salvation is “wrought” or done through God.

                                      

IV. Conclusion.  Nicodemus came to Jesus at nighttime and heard words that millions would not only hear but also believe in the centuries to come.  The Lord did not come to condemn, for man was already condemned; He came to save.  However, sinful man must recognize his condition and future without Christ and exercise faith in Him.  Most will not do that, for there is something about sin and its accompanying moral darkness that people like and find difficult to forsake.  

The Wedding at Cana

                                                                    Sunday School Lesson
                                                March 18,2012
Lesson Focus:
Jesus reveals His
glory to inspire faith.
Lesson Scripture:
John 2:1-12

Introduction:
This week we learn how God’s creative Word was the source of meeting the needs of a group of people who were celebrating a wedding in the village of Cana in Galilee.  When Jesus meets our needs today, it should be motivation enough for us to fully trust Him. John tells us that this miracle was to reveal Jesus' glory.The revelation of His glory would inspire people to have faith in Him.
 and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
 ¹And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
 ²And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
 ³And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
 ⁴Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
 ⁵His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
 ⁶And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
 ⁷Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
 ⁸And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
 ⁹When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
 ¹⁰And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
 ¹¹This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
 ¹²After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.
Scripture footnotes:

(vs. 1).  John chapter 1 ends with Jesus calling Philip and Nathanael to follow Him (see John 1:43-51).  Then John says “And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there.”  The phrase “And the third day” refers to the third day after Jesus called both Philip and his friend Nathanael to follow Him.  John also tells us that on that third day “there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee.”  The exact site of the Galilean town of Cana is not known but it apparently was north of Nazareth.  It was also the hometown of Nathanael (see John 21:2). Note: According to Jewish marriage customs, a prior betrothal or engagement bound the couple to each other as man and wife, but they did not immediately live together.  After an appropriate amount of time went by, as much as a year, the groom came to the bride’s house and took her to his home without any further ceremonies. However, a seven day feast (see Judges 14:12), called the “marriage” began and was accompanied with great rejoicing (see John 3:29).  John also adds that “the mother of Jesus was there.”  Since Mary, Jesus’ mother was there, those who were married may have been relatives or close friends.          

(vs. 2).   In addition, John says “And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.”  Jesus and His disciples were also “called” or invited to the wedding.  Note: At this time, according to John’s Gospel, Jesus apparently had only called six disciples, John and his brother James (probably the two men mentioned in John 1:37; see also 4:21-22), Andrew, Peter, Philip and Nathanael (see John 1:37-51).  By attending this festive occasion Jesus placed His approval on joyous celebration and did not foster the mistaken notion that godly people must live ascetic, or self-denying lives.                                                                         
  B.  The wine (John 2:3).  In the course of the festivities a social disaster was about to happen. Here John wrote, “And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, they wanted wine.”  If you’ve ever been to a wedding or at least heard about one, you know they never go as planned.Someone is running late, the food is not ready, somehow the appropriate music is forgotten, or any number of things can go wrong and usually do.  Well, it was no different at this wedding.  John said “they wanted wine.”  The word “wanted” means “lacked” indicating that they had run out of wine.  Seeing this potentially embarrassing situation, Mary pulled Jesus aside and simply said “they have no wine.”  Note: Running out of wine in Jesus’ day was like running out of food in our time.  To us this problem seems easily fixed by just going to buy more wine.  But in the first century, people didn’t live this way.  Getting more wine was not the simple.  To the bride and groom running out of wine would be more than an embarrassment; it would be disgraceful and humiliating.  It was much more of a disaster than it would be in our culture.  It is difficult to know just what Mary wanted Jesus to do.  She knew that her Son was the Messiah (see Luke 1:26-35) so she may have wanted Him to use His messianic powers to solve the problem.  But at the very least she trusted Jesus to do what was right.  Those of us who believe in Jesus but run into situations we can’t handle must continue to trust that He will work in the best way .                                  

(vs. 4).  Jesus gave a rather surprising response to His mother.  He said “Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.”  In Jesus’ culture, to address a female as “woman” was a normal polite way to speak as can be seen by the several times Jesus Himself  used it (see Matthew 15:28; Luke 13:12; John 4:21; 8:10).  In fact, in John 19:26 Jesus again addressed His mother as “woman” when He committed her future care to the Apostle John and He was not being disrespectful.  Even though “woman” was not a derogatory term, the rest of Jesus’ question seems to be a rebuke.  Jesus asked her, “what have I to do with thee?”  He was probably saying, “what do we have in common in this matter?”  In other words, Jesus wanted her to know that even though she was His mother, He would not help just because she asked.  She didn’t have that kind of claim on Him.  His first duty was to His Father which is seen in His next statement to Mary, “mine hour is not yet come.”  It appears that He is saying that it was not the time to reveal Himself as Messiah by performing a miracle.  In light of other Scripture however, when Jesus said “mine hour is not yet come” He was referring to the time when He fulfilled His purpose of going to the cross to save His people from their sins (see Matthew 1:21).  In every instance where Scripture spoke of “His hour had not come” the reference is to His crucifixion (see Matthew 26:45; Mark 14:35; 14:41; John 7:30; 8:20; 12:23, 27; 13:1; 17:1).  This case should be no different. But even though Mary would not understand what Jesus meant, she still trusted Him to help in some way.                       
(vs. 5).  Mary apparently caught the significance of Jesus’s words and was not offended at His mild rebuke because she “saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.”   She didn’t know how or when Jesus would act, but she was confident that He would do something.  She therefore prepared the servants by telling them to do whatever Jesus tells you to do.  Note: The lesson Mary learned was one we need to learn as well.   We often think that because Jesus is our Saviour we can call on Him to do our bidding at any time.  We impatiently expect Him to answer our prayers immediately and in just the way we want.  But He will not be hurried.  He does care about our needs and promises to meet them.  Knowing what is best for us, He follows His own schedule when supplying our needs.
1. (vs. 6).  Now John tells us that “there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.”  There were six water pots present that were used for purification.  Note: By this time the Jews had developed extended ritual cleansing far beyond what the law required.  Not only did they wash their hands carefully before eating, they also purified the utensils they used (see Mark 7:3-4).  So the water pots at this feast had undoubtedly been used already.  We are told that there were “six waterpots” and each “containing two or three firkins apiece.”  A “firkin” was a liquid measure equal to about 9-10 gallons.  So we could estimate that each pot held between 20 and 30 gallons of water.  If all the water was turned into wine and not just what was drawn out, there would be between 120 and 180 gallons of new wine available for the guests.          
(vs. 7).  Next we are told that “Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.”  Jesus made use of vessels that were already present.  He also made use of the servants in working the miracle.  He told them to “Fill the waterpots with water.”  Here, as in certain later miracles, Jesus could have worked without human instruments, but He chose to include them.  There may be several reasons why:              
a. First, Jesus always allowed humans to do whatever they were capable of, and He supplied only the additional power that they lacked (see Matthew 14:13-21).              
b. Second, Jesus included humans in His working of miracles so that they could verify the genuineness of the works He performed.His miracles were designed to prove that He was the Son of God, and whether men accepted Him as such.  He desired to leave indisputable proof that His claims were valid (see John 5:36).                
c. Third, Jesus involved humans in His works so they might see and believe.  He performed the signs recorded in this gospel so that men might believe His claims and have life through Him (see John 20:30-31).When Jesus told the servants to fill the jars with water, they followed His instructions completely, and filled the waterpots to the brim.  There was no way even a small amount of wine could have been added to the water in an attempt to disprove the miracle. At the time of the miracle, the jars contained nothing but water.                 

(vs.8) After the servants had filled the pots with water, Jesus “saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.”  If the servants were not curious about what Jesus was doing, they certainly had to be when He told them to “Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast.”  They were told to take some of the water from the pots and give it to the “governor of the feast.”  The “governor” and the “ruler” in the next verse are the same person.  He oversaw and managed the whole affair.  But as for the servants, when they were told to give some to the manager of the feast they must’ve been wondering what would happen?  Was this not just water?  The moment of truth had come.  John tells us that the servants obeyed Jesus and “they bare it.”  In other words they took water from the pots and gave it to the manager of the feast.                                                           

                                      

 Note: We are not told the exact moment that the water became wine.  If the servants suddenly served the “governor of the feast” water in front of all the guests, he would be terribly embarrassed, and they would be humiliated.  Therefore following Jesus’ directions required some faith.  It’s true that human nature often accepts with great reluctance what it can’t understand.  We tend to lean toward the familiar, the credible, and the proven.  We do this in order to protect ourselves against making a mistake.  But those who wish to grow in faith must often obey Christ’s commands without fully understanding them.                                                                      

                                                            

 (vs. 9).  This verse says that “When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom.”   As noted earlier, the “ruler of the feast” and the “governor of the feast” was the same person responsible for overseeing and managing the feast.  Though the term “ruler” used here can also refer to a butler or head waiter, it seems to imply a steward whose duties included tasting the food and beverages.  We are told that he tasted the wine, not knowing where it came from, but expecting it to be the same as what he had sampled before the feast.  Parenthetically John tells us that even though the “ruler of the feast” didn’t know the wine was different, the servants did.  After tasting it, he called for the bridegroom.          

(vs. 10).  The bridegroom approached the ruler of the feast, “And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.”  After the ruler or steward of the feast tasted the wine the servants brought to him, he quickly realized it was not the same wine.  So superior was this wine that he hastily called the bridegroom to compliment him on the quality of the wine.  The steward called the bridegroom’s attention to the usual custom of serving the best wine first.Then when a person’s sense of taste has become somewhat blunted, the inferior quality beverage was served.  But he said that didn’t happen this time.  The best wine had been saved until last.  Just as the wine Jesus made was the best, so life with Him is better than life on our own.  Why wait until everything else runs out before trying God?  Why save the best until last?  Note: Some people have a problem with the fact that Jesus provided wine for the wedding guests.  Many scholars argue that the “wine” of that day was fermented but heavily diluted with water and thus not the kind of drink that could easily cause drunkenness.  Other scholars understand the “wine” that Jesus miraculously produced to have been pure grape juice, free from any alcohol content.  If that view is taken, there is no problem at all.

 (vs.11-12) John now comments that “This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.”  This was the first miracle that Jesus performed and it was in the small town of Cana in Galilee.  The word for “miracles” used here is semeion which means “a sign.”  When Jesus performed this miracle, to those who saw it, it was a sign of who He was.  One of the purposes of John’s Gospel is to present Jesus as the Son of God and point readers to Him, where they can find light and life.  The miracles or signs that John recorded were designed to do just that.  Besides, the Jews looked for such signs (see I Corinthians 1:22).  In performing these miracles or signs, Jesus “manifested forth his glory.”  This means that Jesus revealed His glory.  John tells us that the result of this first miracle was that “his disciples believed on him.”  However, this belief would be tested in days to come, and there would be much more spiritual growth, but at this point they needed to understand that they were indeed following the Son of God.            

                                                                  

 After this miracle, John says that “he (Jesus) went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.”  Following the wedding festivities, Jesus went to Capernaum with His mother, his brothers and the disciples that He had called up to this point.  Capernaum became Jesus’ base of operations during His ministry in Galilee.  Jesus had four brothers, James, Joses, Simon and Juda (see Matthew 13:55-56; Mark 6:3.  He also had sisters, but we are not told how many.  This group that followed Jesus to Capernaum stayed there with Him for a short period of time, the meaning of “they continued there not many days.”

                                           
V. Conclusion.  Our response in any difficult situation must be to call on the creative Word, Jesus Christ, and believe in Him.  We are not alone in our deep and troubling situations.  God’s creative Word is always at work to help us.  We can trust our Lord to bring life into the impossible situations that face us.  Our response simply must be to believe Him.
                                              

                                                                   
             

                                                               
    

The Word Became Flesh

                                                                  Sunday School Lesson
                                                                        March 11,2012
Lesson Focus:
The word brings light
and life into the world
Lesson scripture:
John 1:1-14

Introduction:

Last week we focused on divine wisdom at the Creation, especially in the Person of Jesus Christ as the Wisdom of God.  This week we see our Lord as God becoming flesh and making Himself known to us in language that makes sense to us. In order to understand John 1:1-14, one must go to verse 14 first. John declares that the "word" is Jesus.The word took on a human body so that man would be able to relate to God,get to know Him,hear His voice see His actions and interact with him throughout life.John wants us to envision the intricate relationship between God and Jesus.

The Word was God
John 1:1-5,KJV
¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

²The same was in the beginning with God.
³All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
⁴In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
 ⁵And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Footnotes:

Our lesson begins with John introducing Jesus Christ. He wrote that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  John uses the term “Word” to describe Jesus.  It seems best to understand the “Word” to mean the expression of God.  Just as we use words to express what we are and think, so Jesus Christ fully expresses the nature of God (see Hebrews 1:1-3).  Jesus Christ can be the expression of God for three reasons presented here: John’s further statement that “The same was in the beginning with God” reemphasized what he had just said so that there could be no misunderstanding.  The words “The same” refers to Jesus and could also be translated as “this one.”  This One who is Deity in the fullest sense was in the beginning with God. This indicates again that Jesus, the “Word” was a separate Person from God the Father.  Now John says, “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”  In other words, Jesus is the Creator.  Absolutely nothing that has come into being did so apart from Christ’s creative work.  He always existed (see Micah 5:2) but the creation “was made” by Him.  Scripture further declares that His power continues to sustain and hold together what He has created (see Colossians 1:17). In this verse John writes, “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”  The Word not only created all things, but life has resided in Him from all eternity.Just as Christ was always existing, He also was always life.The life residing in Christ, John said was “the light of men.”  “Light” has a number of connotations: knowledge, perception of truth, spiritual discernment and moral purity, and maybe all of them apply in this statement. In the context John uses the word “light” to refer to spiritual understanding and moral insight which are qualities that enable people to comprehend God and His teachings. As the light invaded the darkness “the darkness comprehended it not.”  The word “comprehend” can be taken in two ways: grasping in order to understand or embrace, or grasping in order to harm.  In the context of “comprehended it not,” the second meaning seems better indicating an attempt “to extinguish” the light.  The past tense of “comprehended it not” seems to refer to a certain point in time when a concerted effort was made to destroy Christ while He was on earth (see Luke 22:53).   

The Word Is The True Light of God

John 1:6-9,KJV

 ⁶There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.      

 ⁷The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
 ⁸He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
 ⁹That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world
Footnotes:
When Christ came into the world to reveal His life and light, He sent before Him a witness to prepare the people.  This was “John” the Baptist.  We are first told that he was “a man.”  He was not in any sense a supernatural being nor was he equal to Christ (see John 1:26-27).  However, John was “was a man sent from God.”  His birth was miraculous and his ministry was unique (see Luke 1:7, 13-17). John the Baptist was neither an Old Testament prophet nor a New Testament apostle.  He “came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light.”  Therefore he was more privileged than any Old Testament prophet but less privileged than the lowest Christian believer (see Matthew 11:9-11). The intent of John the Baptist’s witness was “that all men through him might believe.”  He aimed to lead others to trust the Light.  But before he could do this he had to personally believe the revelation God had given him regarding Christ (see John 1:32-33).  The same principle applies to present day witnesses of Christ.  Those who attempt to lead others to faith in Jesus Christ must themselves be trusting Him for salvation (see II Corinthians 5:17-20).The Apostle John was extremely precise in defining the role of John the Baptist. We are told here that “He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.”   In addition, John the Baptist recognized his subordinate role to Jesus and he answered all who asked who he was with humility.  He was just a “voice” (see John 1:23) introducing the One who was preferred before him (see John1:27). Christ whom John the Baptist introduced was the “true Light.”  The word for “true” means that Jesus was the genuine Light in contrast to counterfeits. The evidence that Christ is the “true Light” is that He gives light “to every man that cometh into the world.”  This does not imply that every man will receive the Light (see John 3:19-20), but if anyone is to enjoy spiritual illumination, he can receive it from no other source than Jesus Christ.  It is in this sense that Jesus later said, “I am the light of the world” (see John 8:12).         
Note:The statement that John was sent to “bear witness of the Light” is interesting.  Light in the physical realm needs no witness to its presence because it is self-evident.  Similarly, those sensitive to spiritual light need no one to tell them when it is present.  But the world of Jesus’ day was so enslaved to darkness that one had to tell them when the true light was present (see II Corinthians 4:3-4).
The Word Became Flesh
John1:10-14,KJV
¹⁰He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
¹¹He came unto his own, and his own received him not.           
¹²But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
¹³Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
¹⁴And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Footnotes:

John now says the Light “was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.”  When Christ “was in the world” He was living in the place that “was made by him.”  Surely, one would expect a respectful welcome, but incredibly “the world knew him not.”  Those whom the Word had created didn’t even recognize Him.  They stood by and observed Him with no more understanding than that of the animals in the stable where He was born.John said that “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”  The first “his own” in this verse is a neuter form, neither masculine nor feminine, and could be translated “his own things” referring to Jesus’ own creation.He identified Himself completely with these people and gave them the first opportunity to acknowledge Him as God’s Son.   He fulfilled prophecies that they had long been acquainted with, yet they did not receive Him.Their preconceived ideas about the Messiah caused them to reject Jesus.Those who did receive Jesus, He gave them “power to become the sons of God.”  The words “as many” indicate that those who received Him did so as individuals not as a corporate group.  These individuals were both Jews and Gentiles.  The word translated “power” here means right or authority, not might.  In other words those who receive Christ are given the credentials for entering God’s family and becoming “sons of God” or children of God.“to become the sons of God.”  Entering God’s family requires a rebirth (see John 3:6-7) because the natural human condition is depraved and satanically dominated (see Ephesians 2:1-3).  Those who receive Christ are “them that believe on his name.”   This means to have a complete trust in all that Christ is and has done.  Spiritual life is impossible unless one has a personal relationship with Christ though faith in His coming, life, death, resurrection and ultimate return.Referring to the new birth for those who trust Christ, John says, that they “were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”  Their new birth is unlike any human birth.  It is “not of blood” as in the human blood lines or nationality.  Neither is the new birth “of the will of the flesh.”  This refers to a birth as a result of sexual desire.  Neither is the new birth “of the will of man” as when a man desires have offsprings to carry on his name.  Instead, John says this new birth is “of God.”  It is spiritual and supernatural. Without giving up His deity, Jesus took on a human body and nature “and dwelt among us.”  The word “dwelt” means “to tabernacle.”  It recalls the figure of the tent that God used to dwell in among the Israelites (see II Samuel 7:6).  The word “us” refers to John and those who lived on earth during John’s generation.  John continued to say that while Christ lived among them, “we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”  Just as God displayed His glory above and within the tabernacle in early Israel, so also the glory of Christ appeared to those who walked with Him while He was on earth.  John identified those who saw His glory as “we.”  This included John and others who saw Christ’s glory.The glory they saw was what one would expect from “the only begotten of the Father” or the only Son of God.  Finally, John said the Eternal Word, the Logos, was “full of grace and truth.”  We stand in need today, as the disciples did in their day, of the “grace and truth” that only Jesus Christ provides because He is God, the Word, and the Redeemer.
Conclusion.  Jesus came to reveal more than God’s tender love.  He came to unveil God’s Person as fully as man is able to understand.  Since the human mind is limited, God chose to become Man, a Being the human mind can relate to.  In the perfect Man Jesus, we come to know God as fully as our limitations will allow.  Yes, Jesus Christ is the Word that reveals and expresses who God is and what He is like.   

Wisdom's Part In Creation

                                                                    Sunday School Lesson
                                                                           March 4,2012
Lesson Focus:
The Word reveals wisdom
Lesson Scripture:
Proverbs 8:22-35

Introduction:

The theme for this quarter’s study is “The Word Was in the Beginning.”  This week’s lesson focuses on the role of wisdom in the divine work of creation.Proverbs chapter 8 personifies (represents something inanimate as having life or human qualities) wisdom as a woman.  Many interpreters have seen the personification of wisdom presented in our text as an Old Testament reference to Jesus Christ.  Indeed the qualities given to wisdom in our lesson can also apply to Christ for He is both the power and the wisdom of God (see I Corinthians 1:24).  However, most scholars would agree that it is probably best to understand wisdom in this week’s lesson as an attribute or quality of God ever existing prior to Creation.Before God brought forth anything in creation,before time existed,Jesus was already there.He has neither beginning nor end.He is the Alpha and Omega,the beginning and the end.

Appointed Before Creation

Proverbs 8:22-26,KJV

(vs. 22).  In this verse, Solomon says that wisdom announces that “The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.”  In other words, wisdom states that she (see Proverbs 8:1) was possessed by God before He created anything, which is the meaning of the phrase “before his works of old.”  God Himself is wise and therefore possesses wisdom.(vs. 23).  Wisdom continues her self-description by saying “I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.”  God is eternal, and therefore without a beginning, so wisdom as part of His nature also existed from eternity past.  Wisdom existed long before “ever the earth was” or long before the earth was created.(vs. 24).  Wisdom went on to say, “When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.”  Here wisdom says that before there were “depths” or oceans, she lived, which is the meaning of the phrase “I was brought forth.”  Before there were “no fountains abounding with water” meaning before the springs bubbled forth their waters on earth, wisdom lived. (vs. 25).  Continuing to describe her eternality, here wisdom says “Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth.”  Wisdom said that even before God set the mountains and hills in place, she lived.  There was never a time when wisdom was not there.  Certainly this also applies to Christ who, as noted before, is the wisdom of God.  (vs. 26).  This verse lets us know that God possessed wisdom “While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.”  Even before God created the earth and its fields and the highest plateaus, wisdom was there.

Craftman at God's Side During Creation

Proverbs 8:27-31,KJV

   ²⁷When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
   ²⁸When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
   ²⁹When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
   ³⁰Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
   ³¹Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.

Footnotes:

Here we see that God’s wisdom is demonstrated in the work of creation. Wisdom said, “When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth.”  It’s obvious that since wisdom was before the Creation she was present during the Creation.  When God “prepared” or set the heavens in place, wisdom was there.  Wisdom was there when God “set a compass upon the face (or horizon) of the depth.”  The Hebrew word translated “compass” means “a circle.”  Thus this phrase probably refers to the circle of the earth (vs. 28).  Wisdom said that she was there when God “established the clouds above, When He strengthened the fountains of the deep.”  This is a specific reference to the firmament of Genesis 1:7, in which God divided the waters that were under the heavens from those that were above them.  We know that the clouds above contain water that will often be poured out upon the earth in the form of rain, or other precipitation. In all of these acts of creation, wisdom was present, reminding us that nothing was done haphazardly or without the wise preparation of God.  (vs. 29).  Wisdom was there when God established the oceans or seas when He gathered the waters on the earth into their prescribed places (see Genesis 1:9).  The next day God separated the waters above the earth from the waters on the earth, causing dry land to appear by placing the seas on earth in defined locations.(see Genesis 1:10).(vs. 30).  In this verse wisdom continues to be personified and says she was there beside God as He did all His work meaning that wisdom was beside God as a craftsmen or master workman. This would imply that God worked with wisdom to design and construct His creation. (vs. 31).  Wisdom here says she  enjoyed God’s creation of man.  Regarding how man was created, David wrote, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are thy works” (Psalms 139:14).  For sure wisdom laughs with joy when it looks upon the abilities and capacities of the created beings God has made.  

Source of Blessing and Life        
Proverbs 8:32-35,KJV
 ³²Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
³³Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
³⁴Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
³⁵For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.

Footnotes:

(vs. 32).  Wisdom says “hearken unto me, O ye children” advising everyone to “hearken” or “hear” what she has said.  The word “hearken” is a form of the word “hear” and means not only to listen but to obey.  If one does not obey, he has not heard what was said.  The reason we are to hear what wisdom has to say is because “blessed are they that keep my ways.”  The word “blessed” means to be happy.  Happiness results from fellowship with God. (vs. 33). First we are to “Hear instruction.”  The Hebrew word translated “instruction” means chastening, discipline, or correction.  The purpose of “instruction” or correction, or discipline is education. (vs. 34).   The one who “heareth” or obeys wisdom (Jesus Christ to the believer) is “blessed” or happy and will also be “watching daily at my gates.”  To be “watching” means to be on the lookout at all times as seen in the word “daily.”  Wisdom portrays herself as having “gates.”  The reference to “gates” could be the city gates where elders met to conduct city business.  Certainly wisdom would be needed in those situations.  Wisdom also portrays herself as a home having door posts.  She says the happy person not only is watching daily at her gates, but is also “waiting at the posts of my doors.”  The doer of God’s Word seeks wisdom where the wise gather---at wisdom’s gates and at the doorposts of wisdom’s home.(vs. 35).   There are valuable benefits to heeding wisdom.  The one who “findeth” or follows wisdom also “findeth life.”  The context here seems to mean that the person who obeys the teachings of wisdom will experience a more meaningful and fulfilling life.  God’s wisdom helps us avoid the pitfalls that could lead to a premature death.  When we neglect God’s wisdom, there is a different result. As Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.  But the one who receives wisdom also “shall obtain favour of the LORD.”   

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