Witnesses discussed in Lesson Four

John the Baptist -- proclaimed Christ as the
"Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world!" (John 1:36
After seeing the Holy Spirit descend, John the Baptist proclaimed --
"This is the Son of God" (John 1:34)

John (the author) and Andrew responding to the Baptist's witness, follow Jesus and spend an evening with Him .
Andrew finds his brother Simon Peter and tells him
"We have found the Messiah!" (John 1:41)

Philip responds to Jesus call and immediately finds Nathaniel telling him:
"We have found Him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote" (John 1:45)

Nathaniel, after meeting Jesus declares
"Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel" (John 1:49)

Nicodemus was a little slower to grasp who Jesus was, but he saw that Jesus was no ordinary man.
""Rabbi we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with Him" {3:2}
But we know that night time talk with Jesus made a deep impression on him. When he saw Jesus,
"lifted up" on the cross, he remembered and stepped out to be a witness for Jesus.

My buddy and I discuss the SS lesson every week. Here's a short from this Sabbath's lesson: SSGG #Shorts - Two Ministries.

This is a longer clip focused on the Samaritans' reaction to Jesus: SSGG Bonus - Direct Connection With God.

The full discussion is here: SSGG 11/02/24 - Themes in the Gospel of John: "The Testimony of the Samaritans".

Did anything in the lesson pop out at you?

There are many thoughts we can glean from these lessons. John's gospel more than any of the others reveal Christ, Who He is, Why He came, and the depth of gospel of salvation.

This weeks lesson has focused on Jesus encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well.

Many have noted the comparison from the last chapter -- Jesus encounter with Nicodemus.
Several things impressed themselves into my thinking.
The first was Jesus ability to penetrate through human problematic thinking, and reach the heart.
That great ability in itself is proof that He is Divine. Gently, yet forcefully, compassionately yet earnestly, unobtrusively, yet skillfully, uplifting the listener and yet pointing out their need.


Nicodemus -- he was at the top! Well respected, religious leader, a man of influence, member of the Sanhedrin, member of the chosen race, economically well situated. According to the thinking of his day, he was in favor with God, a child of Abraham. But he sensed his need --

The Samaritan woman -- she was at the bottom, not respected, a woman seeking to avoid people, member of the despised race, probably used and abused.

Yet, Christ reached out to both and offered them what they needed most.
Nicodemus needed to realize he needed a Savior. His forms and position could not save. He needed the new birth into life with the Savior.
The woman KNEW she needed a Savior but didn't know how to find Him.

We tend to think of the Samaritan woman as sinful, casting off husbands like changing ones clothes -- five husbands, now shacking up with a sixth man,. But we are thinking in 21st century American terms. Women back then did NOT divorce their husbands. Husbands could "put away their wives" but wives did not divorce their husbands.

So how did she come to have six men in her life?
I tend to think she was a REJECTED woman.
Possibly death deprived her of her first husband. To be a widow without a husband was not easy for a woman in those days. Possibly the other men took her in, used her, got tired of her, sent her away with a bill of divorce, rejected again and again. The last "sixth" man didn't even give her the status of a wife, but she just needed SOMEONE to give her security so agreed.

Then she met the SEVENTH!
He had not come to use or abuse her, He came to give her the "water of life"!
Jesus reveals His divine knowledge and His ability to see into the depths of human hearts. He doesn't condemn or shame the woman, but instead sees a scared and embittered heart that's longing for something better. He has the answer, the balm of healing, the hope of salvation, the living water of joy in Him, and the ability to gently lead her to realize He has come to save her!

She is filled with joy! So much so, she isn't even disturbed when the disciples return and cast questioning and rather unfavorable glances her way. She must proclaim the good news! She has found the Savior. Leaving her water pot behind, a symbolic action, for the water it draws is not living water, it's soon gone. She will no longer search for security with every person her offers it, requiring a price. She has found the Messiah, she has found the living, life transforming, life sustaining water Jesus spoke about, She runs to her city to invite everyone to come see Jesus.

I was surprised to find that the rabbi's were not to even talk to women or teach them, no wonder the disciples were so surprised besides the fact she was samaritan.

John the Baptist's Testimony

John the Baptist -- proclaimed Christ as the
"Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world!" (John 1:36)
After seeing the Holy Spirit descend, John the Baptist proclaimed --
"This is the Son of God" (John 1:34)

John's witness is a powerful witness but the devil has a plan to destroy both John's witness and Jesus mission.
He uses a tactic that has often worked to nullify the influence of God's work.

DIVIDE -- bring in controversy -- get people jealous and envious of each other, get them acting out of harmony with the principles of God's selfless love.
Who is the greatest?? Fill people with resentment by making them feel slighted, fill them with jealousy because someone received more recognition. Sadly this selfishness, self exaltation is the default response of even the disciples of John and of Jesus.

BUT John the Baptist does not give place to this fight for self recognition.

John 3:28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
3:29 He that has the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

3:35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand.
3:36 He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him.

"Looking in faith to the Redeemer, John had risen to the height of self-abnegation. He sought not to attract people to himself, but to lift their thoughts higher and still higher, until they should rest upon the Lamb of God....
So with the followers of Christ. We can receive of heaven's light only as we are willing to be emptied of self. We cannot discern the character of God, or accept Christ by faith, unless we consent to the bringing into captivity of every thought to the obedience of Christ. To all who do this the Holy Spirit is given without measure. In Christ "dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and in Him ye are made full." Colossians 2:9, 10, R. V. {DA 181}

The video is up for this upcoming Sabbath School lesson: SSGG 11/09/24 - Themes in the Gospel of John: "More Testimonies About Jesus"

This week's Gospel Gem: Jesus is the Billboard

Jesus said He draws everyone to Himself by what He did. Let's lift Him up, not anyone or anything else.