Sunday School Lesson for April 1, 2012: Jesus Testifies to the Truth (John 18:28-38)

Wayne’s two cents worth







Deuteronomy 21:22-23
[ Various Laws ] If someone guilty of a capital offense is put to death and their body is exposed on a pole, 23 you must not leave the body hanging on the pole overnight. Be sure to bury it that same day, because anyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse.





           

            As far as they were concerned, He was a threat. He was a serious threat. Just a few short days earlier, thousands had followed Him into Jerusalem, declaring His majesty, rejoicing in His triumphal entry. Each day He remained, He remained a threat to their ‘religious system’, their livelihood. He had to be dealt with…permanently. But why crucify Him? Why not just stone Him? After all, they were accusing Him of blasphemy, were they not? There was no graver sin against God. What they were accusing Him of was the pinnacle rebellion. Worthy of death, why not simply stone Him, as they intended to stone the woman caught in adultery.

        In their minds, stoning was sufficient. It would only accomplish their immediate purpose; ridding themselves of Jesus, but what of His followers? There were thousands of them, from near and far. Many had come from great distances to see Jesus. No, stoning wouldn’t stop a movement, but crucifixion would. It was imperative that they not only stop Him, but that they stop; absolutely stop the movement that He began. Crucifixion served that purpose. According to Scripture, anyone hung on a pole was accursed of God. Surely if He were crucified, it would demonstrate that God of Heaven had deemed Him accursed. That would destroy the movement. His followers would have to resign themselves to their authority, lest they too fall under the ‘curse’ of God.





Galatians 3:13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” 





            We can rejoice in the fact that ‘God is in control’. No matter how dire the circumstances, God is in control. Truly Jesus was hung on a cross, and in so doing, became accursed….for us. By allowing Himself to endure the shame of the cross, he redeemed us from sin and took away our shame. That was God’s intent all along: to make a way where there was none. On this dark evening in Pilate’s courtyard, the die was cast in Eternity. In spite of the lies, the scheming, the manipulation, God’s will was about to be accomplished. That’s good news beloved. If God be for you, who can be against you? This may sound odd, but Jesus left Pilate’s courtyard that evening in victory. From this meeting, He was on a direct path to the cross and to the joy that His Father had set before him before the beginning of time. 





John 18:33
Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”





        Surely Pilate was familiar with the Jewish prophecies concerning a ‘Messiah’. He had to be. It was his job. So tonight it was his job to determine whether or not Jesus presented a threat to his authority and to Rome’s. Was he the king of the Jews? It’s interesting that after a brief exchange of words with Christ, Pilate exclaims that indeed; Jesus is a king. That’s remarkable. What ever there is about Jesus’ bearing and demeanor, Pilate recognizes him as someone of authority, much as the centurion had (Matt. 8). In one brief moment Pilate acknowledges Jesus as a King, a ruler and he takes Christ at his word that he has no intent of overthrowing roman governance.. I would argue that what Pilate beheld in Christ was absolute Purity; purity of character, heart and purpose. Pilate found himself standing in the presence of someone who was at perfect peace, or rather, someone who exemplified the very meaning of peace. Peace. It’s why Jesus’ next words are so important:





John 18:37b
... Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”





        This is where the rubber met the road…for Pilate. Each of us experiences a certain truth based on our circumstances and understanding. Pilate’s truth was different from the Pharisee’s truth, which was different from the truth of the common Jewish citizen of that day. There is Truth that is higher that any other. Jesus is that Truth. To know Him as Savior is to know no greater Love. To acknowledge Him as Lord is to know no greater Truth. Pilate suddenly found himself questioning his own understanding truth. That’s how it works for everyone to whom the Holy Spirit presents the Gospel; the Truth. As it turns out, the words trust, true, and truth are related and they are related… related to the word …. Faith. When you find something to be true, you put your faith in it, you trust it. When challenged by a greater truth, you must exchange the truth you previously trusted for that which is greater. The alternative is to settle for something less than the greater truth you’ve been offered. Beloved, in Christ we are presented with ultimate Truth, are you willing to forego all that you’ve know before to accept what He offers? Paul’s words below perfectly express how we ought to choose. Selah: (Pause, think, meditate on this!)





.wb





Philippians 3:8
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,





Philippians 3:12
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Sunday School Lesson for March 25, 2012: Nicodemus Learns of New Birth (John 3:1-25; Numbers 21:4-9)

A word to my friends: You’ve all been a great encouragement to me during this dry spell. My pen dried up for a minute. No one to blame but myself. Time to get back to my first love. Thanks for your prayers and encouragement. I can see Jesus in you.


 John 3:13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.


 John 3:15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”


 John 3:19a This is the verdict: Light has come into the world..


While there are many great lessons in the Gospel of John and several significant truths in this third chapter, the intent of writers of this set of Sunday School lessons is to introduce you and to have you focus on the person of Jesus. Who is He? Where did He come from? What is His purpose? What uniquely qualifies Him for this purpose? In essence, the focus is not on the full message of the Gospel, but rather the most significant message of the Gospel. To quote the old hymn, “Everybody ought to know… who Jesus is”. The beauty of this passage is that Jesus declares Himself to Nicodemus and to us. He provides the record. According to His Word, He came from Heaven. That was different. Many before Him declared that they were called by God, but Jesus declared that He came from God. That He is God, literally One with God. The truth is: only He can make that claim. If you’re going to get to know Him, you’re going to have to get to know Him as God, not anyone else. Very God is how theologians have defined Him. Messiah was the expectation, nothing less. He is the Desire of the ages. Careful study and interpretation of the Scriptures, strict adherence to the traditions of old planted and nurtured within the culture of the Jews an unquenchable Hope for One who would deliver them. He had been typified in their history by the great patriarchs and heroes of their past, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Samson, and on and on. The people of Israel were clearly awaiting His appearance.

With His words and the miracles that He performed, He filled the requirement. They marveled at His words; He spoke as one in authority. They knew His earthly heritage, but His wisdom was greater than any they had ever encountered. There where never any questions from Him, except rhetorical ones. Never did he utter any doubt. He knew whereof He spoke. It was evident. That authority extended into the unseen realm, where even the devils trembled at the sound of His voice.

As far as the miracles were concerned, never had the miraculous come so close, become so personal. He opened blind eyes, He healed the lame, the sick.. He personally fed thousands. These were all miracles of deliverance. Miracles from a Savior; a personal Savior. A savior who can know you so intimately that He can then minister to you personally, individually. With the ability to speak to your deepest need, He is able to save you, to change you, to redeem you personally…to the uttermost. The beauty of the gift that Jesus offers is that He’ll save you from destruction, then change you at your very core, so as to present you spotless and perfect before His Father in eternity. Isn’t that good news?

The conclusion of the matter is clear: Jesus is the Light of all creation, the express image of the Father throughout. That great Light, from which all things were created, has come to us to heal. We are only required to believe. Have faith Beloved. God has not left us alone. Messiah has come. He told us so …Himself.


 Shalom, .


wb


John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.