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.

A NEW UNDERSTANDING OF THE MESSIAH

Yes, the Jewish people were hoping for a Messiah who would rid them of their enemies, elevate their nation among the other nations and supply them with all the needs (and wants) of their temporal lives.
They were eager to accept Him as their Messiah when He fed the 5000 with just a couple of fish and five little barley buns. They remembered the story of Israel in the wilderness and how manna came from heaven to relieve their physical hunger ever day. Here was a man like Moses who would supply them with the physical essentials of life.

But Jesus, though He supplies for our physical needs, was far more interested in the spiritual nourishment and drink people needed to be lifted out of the pit of sin and fitted for life eternal with Him. That's why He came into this world, He didn't come to make things more comfortable for temporal life in a doomed world. He came to offer spiritual food, salvation and life eternal.
All through the gospel of John, we see Jesus pleading with the people to believe in Him, for He is LIFE, He offers something far greater than just making their short life on earth a little more pleasant.

John begins His gospel declaring that Christ is the WORD, the Word was with God, and the Word was God.... and the Word became flesh and dealt among us.

Then Jesus talks about eating His flesh -- the flesh that is the Word.
He emphasizes the need to believe.

So what do we learn from all this?

And what does it mean to "believe"? Is it just an intellectual assent? Is it a form of positive thinking that will make good things happen?

We know the devils believe Christ is the Son of God, but they won't have eternal life.

What is it that people need to believe? What does it mean to believe?

Here are some answers from a better writer than I am:

Is belief in Jesus enough? Some people think so. Some people think the key is belief plus...

I am firmly in the camp that belief is enough to secure eternal life. As John 20:31 says, "but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."

You can check out our discussion on the upcoming lesson here: SSGG 11/16/24 - Themes in the Gospel of John: "Blessed Are Those Who Believe"

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO BELIEVE
To believe in Jesus is the key to eternal life.
There is no other way. He is life, He is the Way, the Truth. Without Him there is no salvation.

But as asked earlier -- what does it mean to believe?

It's more than intellectually acknowledging His existence and His Divinity. There will be people who believe Jesus was a Divine man who lived on earth 2000 years ago, who will not be saved. (Luke 13:26-27)
Nor is it an issue whether or not our works can earn us salvation. They don't. Even the best works don't earn us salvation. That was obviously a very serious issue in Christ's time. They were depending on their forms and rituals and national heritage to save them. But none of that can save. They needed the Savior!

However, one cannot honestly read the Bible and say works have nothing to do with salvation. So what do they have to do with belief in Jesus, and salvation?

Ezekiel 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
11:20 That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
11:21 But as for those whose heart walk after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, says the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do [them].

Ezekiel 33:11 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
But we realize if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it. Ezekiel 33::13
All of our good deeds will not pay for even one sin. We are totally dependent upon Christ for forgiveness of sin and for the power and guidance to live according to God's will. God promises to give us a new heart -- a transformation. And He promises to do this good work in us throughout our life time --" he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ: Phil. 1:6

Believing in Him is absolutely key, without Him there is absolutely no salvation.
Yet, there are always two ditches that the enemy of our souls tries to push us into. He doesn't really care which ditch, just as long as he pushes us off that narrow road to Heaven.

The Bible makes it clear that those who genuinely believe in Christ WILL also obey Him.
Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

God is also in the business of transforming our character, so we must believe in that as well.

Believing means believing what God said is true. When He says "This is the way walk ye in it". It means we are to walk in the way He tells us. We obey because we believe He knows what is best, and right, and we trust Him, even if our natural desires don't feel inclined to obey.

Turn to Biblical list of the people of faith and read about those who had strong belief in God which showed itself by obedience, yet not the act is of value if it is not done in faith. But an act done in faith is pleasing to God. Believe and faith and obedience get all wrapped up in one package.

Hebrews 11:4 "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice", showing His belief, while Cain offered his own selection, that's not believing in God's Word.

11:5 By faith Enoch was translated ...he had this testimony, that he pleased God. ..without faith it is impossible to please [him]: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark

11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed;

11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: but a ram was provided, all signifying the love of God in giving His Son, the Lamb of God to die for our sins.

True belief
Is fully trusting in Him for our salvation.
It is believing that God is very real, active, personally involved and interested in us today.
Entrusting ourselves to Him in full commitment. Living according to His will and His commandments.

1 John 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
3:8 He that continues in sin is of the devil; for the devil sins from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

THE MOST EFFECTIVE WITNESS FOR JESUS

What is the most effective witness?
Is it the preacher with good, solid sermons? They have their place!
Is it the Bible worker who has a text for every question? They too have an important place!

But the most effect witness is a life transformed. It is solid evidence of God's amazing work in a human life.

In today's lesson we have the account of Mary and her gift of perfume for Jesus.
Three people are mentioned in this account. All three had experienced very meaningful encounters with Jesus. All three had their own type of "belief" in Christ. All three had before them, the evidence that Jesus had the power of LIFE and resurrection, as Lazarus sat at the feast with them.
But only one of them had the true belief that connected with Christ's gift of Life and Salvation.

There was Simon, the Pharisee. He had been diagnosed with leprosy and healed by Jesus. In gratitude he held this feast. But his belief in Christ was filled with doubt, "This man if he were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner," (Luke 7:49)

Then there was Judas Iscariot. (Simon's son, John 12:4) and one of Jesus twelve disciples. This man had walked and fellowshipped in close association with Jesus for about three years! He believed, in his own manner, that Jesus was the Messiah, but was frustrated because Jesus was not the Messiah he, Judas, wanted. Though he had walked with Christ for about three years, he was still walking in darkness, shutting out the light. After seeing Mary pouring expensive (to him wasteful) perfume on Jesus, and hearing Christ's gentle rebuke concerning his critical remark that it was a waste, Judas headed out to see the chief priest to offer a plan to betray Jesus. (Mark 14:10) He turned from the full blaze of light, and was headed out into complete darkness.

Mary, a woman who was known as a sinful woman, but also a forgiven woman, (Luke7: 47), a transformed woman, who loved Jesus with all her heart. To her Jesus says, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace. (Luke 7:50)
Her witness for Christ is still being told all over the world, where ever the gospel is preached. (See Mark 14:9)