What Jesus Gives To Those Who Believe

By Mary Vee
John 10

Peter

The Temple-Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Peter. 

Autumn is nearly over. December has come. It was about 197 years ago when Judas Maccabaeus began the celebration called Dedication, later called Hanukkah. 

This is a feast held in December to remember the refurbishing and opening of the temple after Antiochus Epiphanes ruined the grounds and building in168 BC.

The person who took the photo is unknown. The photo
courtesy goes to this individual who posted this winter photo
of the Western Wall on the Spirit of Israel Facebook page.

Hanukkah is an eight day feast held in Jerusalem. Jews travel from all over Israel to attend. 

It is at this time that I begin today's story. 

Photo courtesy: ebibleTeacher.com

I found Jesus in the Temple area, walking in Solomon's Colonnade. A group of Jews gathered around him. Their leader said, "How long will you keep us in suspense? Are you or are you not the Christ? Tell us plainly.

Jesus said, "I did tell you, but you do not believe me. The miracles I have done in my Father's name speak for me. You don't believe because you do not follow me as a sheep would his master. 





"My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give each one eternal life. None will ever perish. Neither can anyone snatch them from me.

"My Father, the One who has given me my sheep, is greater than all. No one can snatch my sheep out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one."

Inside the Temple, a room for females only-
Photo by Mary Vee

Although Jesus answered their question, they became angry. They bent low and picked up stones to hurl at him.


Jesus said, "I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. Which one of these gives you a reason to stone me?"

Their leader said, "We are not stoning you for any of those. We will stone you for blasphemy, though. You are a mere man and yet you claim to be God."

"Then don't believe me if I do not do what the Father does. 

"But, if I do these things, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father."

The men lunged toward Jesus, grabbing for Him, but He escaped their grasp.

Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

Seeing Less Than The Blind

By Mary Vee
John 5

From John's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee
Jerusalem

My name is John. I am a disciple of Jesus. I am here with other disciples, so they may add something to what I share today. 

We are still standing in the courts of the Temple. Jesus has been speaking to some Temple leaders who were angry that a man carried a mat. They had found out that Jesus told the man to do it.

They came to Jesus ready with accusations because today is the Sabbath. Last time we talked about what Jesus said to them. Jesus didn't cower earlier and he still isn't. He stands straight, not afraid of these men like most people, and I admit I am one. He is boldly looking at them and saying,

"I don't act on my own. and will not in the future either. I listen to the One who sent me, then do as He says. I am not here to please myself, but the One who has sent me. And because of this, my judgements are always fair and never to my benefit. 

"If I tell you about myself, than my words are not valid. But there is someone else who has spoken to you about me in my favor, and I know what he has said is true. You've even sent messengers to John. They heard him tell the truth to everyone who heard him.

"His message, though, did not begin with him. It began in the heavenly places. I'm telling you this so that you, too, can be rescued and have eternal life. John the Baptist's voice is like a light in darkness, and, for a time, you enjoyed seeing that light and wanted to hear more.

"There is another witness, one who is greater than John. My mission and the things I have been sent to do, alone, prove my instructions come from the Father. The Father, Himself has given testimony of me. You have never heard His voice, or seen Him, and His word does not live in your hearts. 

"Oh, sure, you've studied the Scriptures, searching for answers and think you have eternal life because of all these rituals and acts you follow. But what you have missed is that these very Scriptures point to me. I am here. Right before your eyes. The one sent by the Father. And there you stand, refusing to believe in me, missing an opportunity to truly have eternal life.  

"The praise I receive does not come from mere man. I see you don't have a true love of God. Even still, I pursued you. I have come in my Father's name, and still you have turned me away.

"If someone else came along and gave you his credentials, you'd welcome him and believe him. How can you say you believe in God? You are so consumed with wanting each other's praises. Oh, he has done this and he has done that. Wanting so desperately to get each other's approval when the approval you really need is God's and God's alone.

"I won't accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, even though you have put all your hope in him. If you truly believed what Moses wrote and said, you would believe me because he wrote about me. Since you have missed the deeper meanings in Moses' words, how will you ever believe what I say?"

When He finished those words, we left and headed out to the fields where the corn grew. We were hungry.


I'll tell you more about that next time.

Come back to read the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.