Judgment by John

I read the Books of Hebrews and James yesterday, and I am impressed by how much they speak of our judging others. Romans does, too, of course. I began thinking how little importance today's Christians place on false judgment. My wife added to my thoughts with an excellent editorial on the subject. I want to do something succinct here, and I hope it is something all of us will consider.

Judgment is God's business, not ours. That does mean we are to decide who we want to lead our nation, but we need to walk a narrow path in doing it. Remember the children of Israel in the wilderness. God chose Moses to lead them, and there could be no doubt about it, but doubt did arise. Miriam and Aaron, Moses older sister and brother, began to speak against Moses in Numbers 12:1ff. They were upset with him because he had married a Cushite wife! That made their complaint racial!

God struck Miriam with Leprosy on the spot, and Aaron cried out to Moses, "Please, my lord, do not hold against us the sin we have so foolishly committed. Do not let her be like a stillborn infant coming from its mother's womb with its flesh half eaten away." (vv. 11,12). Moses prayed, and God heard his prayer, but Miriam apparently had to bear the leprosy for seven days outside the camp, and the entire nation remained where it was until she was well.

It's dangerous to judge and I think particularly by race if you are a Christian! Romans was written to Christians, and 2:1 says, "You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things." We are all sinners, and you can only condemn others for sin real or imagined. Either way, it is wrong. The second is doubly wrong because it is not true.

If I understand the Bible correctly, there is a very fine line between vengeance and judgment. In Deuteronomy 32:35, God told the people that vengeance belonged to Him, and He would exact it. They did not have to do it themselves. In fact, the wording shows that they would be usurping God's right if they did. All through history, he human race has disregarded that, but that only shows how ungodly it is, and how wrong.

Romans 12:19 and Hebrews 10:30 both recall that word from the Lord. Hebrews 10:31 adds that it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God!

How big is God? I see Him as bigger than anything and more powerful than anything I've ever seen or encountered. How big is He to you? He is the Creator of all we see and all we are; yet, so many seem to think they have to defend God!

I believe with all my heart that God can take care of all my family and me, don't you? I am concerned about world affairs as were all of the Old Testament prophets, but I know God does not need me to protect Him. Again, trying to protect Him would put me in His place, and that's sin! In fact, we believe that was sin, according to Isaiah 14:12-14, that Satan committed and caused him to cast out of heaven. He made himself equal with God, but he wasn't! It should be a lesson to us that we cannot usurp God's authority.

It is time for us to stop worrying and to start really trusting in God. It's on our coins and scrip, but is it really in our minds and hearts?

I'm not suggesting who should be elected President, but I am saying we should stick to the truth, not fables. We should pray for God's will to be done. We should seek His will for us constantly and momentarily. We should trust in His goodness and mercy, and rely on His infinitely great and wonderful intellect to guide the people of this planet.

Of Waterpots and Wine. John 2:1-11 by John

Of Waterpots and Wine
John 2:1-11

1. The Scripture sets up the scene for us. John would have been a good reporter. He gives the facts for a good news story, and that’s what this is, a Good News story! It answers the 5 “W” questions, Who, What, When, Where, Why.
(1) Who was there? The wedding party that included Mary the mother of Jesus, Jesus and his disciples plus many others important to the bride and groom.
(2) The event? A wedding.
(3) The time? Tuesday. The First Miracle Jesus performed, the formal beginning of His ministry to save the people of the world.
(4) The place? Cana of Galilee.
(5) What is the significance of it? Well, that’s what we are about to look into!
2. This is the first of six signs in the Book of John. It’s a miracle. And it was done for the people present.
3. Did I use the word, “sign?” Yes, I did. Didn’t Jesus say no sign would be given to that untoward generation, except the sign of the prophet Jonah? Yes, He did. Then why is “sign” used here in v. 11? First this sign was not for the unbelieving Jews. Second, it was for His disciples, and for all who believe after that. Third, it was to help out this bridegroom who invited Him. (God answers prayer, but in His grace and mercy, he does do things for people that they never prayed about).
3. There are a number of possible applications we could make from this miracle.
(1) It would be easy to dismiss it as a pleasant experience for the guests of this wedding. I believe I’ve heard one minister do that.
(2) We could use it to point out that Jesus was human, and He had compassion on this poor groom who ran short on wine. Maybe more people came than he expected or perhaps the people drank more than he expected. There’s truth in that.
(3) We could use it to prove that Mary controlled Jesus even after He was grown, and that we should ask Mary to help us get our prayers answered. (People have certainly used this that way, and I believe that is wrong.)
(4) We could use this as proof that God wanted and expected people to drink alcohol as a beverage, and it has been used that way, but there is little support for that.
4. Certainly there is a greater message in this event than any of these things indicate, don’t you think? I do.
5. Let’s consider this whole event.

I. This is the first act that showed Jesus’ glory. V 11.

1. Jesus already knew Who He was. There are at least two views about that, perhaps three.
(1) Philippians 2:7 tells us Jesus emptied Himself of all godli ness when He came to earth. Some think that means that He didn’t know that He was the only begotten Son of God. (I believe that is wrong.)
(2) Others believe that He knew, but that He did not know the details.
(3) Still others believe Jesus was wide-awake and aware that He was God’s Son even when He was a tiny baby, and that He did miracles when He was playing. One early account tells about Jesus forming a dove out of clay, throwing it up in the air, and watching it change into a live bird and fly away.
(4) I agree with the second view. I think Jesus had to give up some of His knowledge in order to be completely human, and in order for Him to suffer as a human being for our sins.
(5) Ultimately, we don’t need to know which is right. That was, and is, in God’s hands. I do believe God the Father would have told us if He wanted us to know the details.
2. The important thing for us to have in mind is that this act reveals the true nature, the true glory of Jesus our Lord!
3. (Retell the story). Isn’t that glorious?

II. Everyone involved was blessed by His act.

1. v. 9. The bridegroom received the commendation from the master of the banquet who didn’t know where the wine came from.
2. I think the bridegroom was as surprised as the master of the banquet. I don’t think he knew about the water being turned into wine.
3. V 9 He did not deserve the thanks.
4. Someone should have thanked Mary. She was the one who steered the servants to Jesus.
5. The bridegroom himself should have found out where that wine came from, and he should have thanked Jesus, but there is no record that he did.
6. God sends the rain on both the just and unjust. If you are blessed, others around you will be, too.

III. This miracle caused His disciples to put their faith in Him. (That was a great blessing to them!)

1. V 11. The disciples put their faith in Jesus right there. (That does not mean they became full-grown Christians on the spot! It means that they were now on the road to becoming the people God wanted them to be!)
2. v. 11. Ever so often someone says, “I just don’t have any faith!” That’s a wrong statement.
(1) Everyone has faith! Would you go to bed tonight if you knew you were going to die before daylight? Or would you do something else that you really wanted to do?
(2) Are you going to bed tonight? You have faith!
(3) The faith you have may be in the wrong things, but you have it.
3. The question we should ask ourselves is, “Where have I put my faith?”
3. If it is anywhere other than in Jesus, you have missed God’s way! And heaven is not your home!

IV. This whole thing is a beautiful allegory for Christians.

1. In an allegory everything stands for something else. A good example of an allegory is in II Samuel 12:1ff. (read it).
2. In John 2, the wine represents the joyful, saving power of Jesus.
(1) He is the only One Who could turn (this doubtlessly impure) water into fine, pure wine!
(2) He can do the same with you and me. He can make us clean and honorable tools to serve the Heavenly Father.
3. The servants represent Christians who deliver the Gospel message to others.
(1) It is not their message. It’s God’s.
(2) They have no special power. It’s God’s power.
(3) They aren’t really special people either. Paul referred to himself using the word, “doulos,” or bond-slave of Jesus!
4. The message is for everyone, but only those who recognize their need will receive it!
5. The guests represent all of those invited to trust Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
(1) It’s reasonable to believe some of the guests did not drink any of the wine maybe for religious reasons.
(2) It’s reasonable to believe there were people who were not at the banquet because they refused the invitation!
6. Whatever the reason, those who didn’t drink the wine were not blessed by that miracle!
7. The point is that those of us today who do not receive Jesus miss out on the salvation of the Lord.

Conclusion:

1. Everything God does is miraculous. That’s why the disciples recognized Jesus as God and put their faith in Him.
2. Are we so blind that we can’t see God’s magnificent handiwork around us every day?
3. What He does is always good for us providing we accept it! A gift not received remains in the donor’s hand! The one who refuses is not blessed by it!
4. We need not be concerned about minor details in God’s Word. What we need is to realize that we have the power to become children of God! Remember what John 1:11-13 says, “He came to that which was his own (Israel), but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, children born not of natural descent, not of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
5. You have faith in something. You can have it in God’s Good News, and Jesus gives you the right to become God’s son or daughter. Are you willing?
6. You can put your trust in Him and be saved while we pray.

What is peace? John 14:27, by John.

Ever so often someone asks, "What is peace?" Generally there are a few moments of silence before someone says, "The absence of war." Several comments may be made, such as "To be in agreement," or to be content as you are," and these are true, but they are not real definitions. They represent one phase of what we call peace. Jesus according to John 14:27 said, "Peace, I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (NIV)

That gives a wonderful perspective of what peace is. It's not anything given by the world we live in. National peace is an absence of war. Personal inner peace is something that a person can have in the midst of war and other kinds of turmoil and trouble; so, peace is much more than a negative concept of a positive reality. Philippians 4:7 says, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Whatever peace is, it is obviously something our human race really needs!

The phonetically spelled New Testament Greek word for peace is "eye-RAY-nay" which has been made into personal names in several languages. Ours is Irene transliterated from Greek. Irenic is an adjective usually used to describe a very peaceful scene or time. Tranquility might frequently be a good synonym for peace. "Roman peace" is a term used to describe the peace that came to people after being conquered and ruled by the Roman Empire.

The word for used for peace in the Hebrew Old Testament is phonetically "sha-LOME, and was used as a word of both greeting and parting. No matter how we try, we have to keep coming back to Jesus as the Author of peace. God is the only one who can give real, lasting peace to an individual, and nations are communities of individuals. Since nowhere in the Bible does it say, "Peace is," we have to look beyond ordinary definitions. Jesus is the example, and without examining His entire life on earth, there is no hope for a definition. Peace is a concept, which I believe is impossible for anyone who has not met, and given his life to, Jesus to understand. Because of that, we cannot define the word for them at all. We can just describe it, and tell the world that Jesus provides it.

Briefly consider these thoughts: First, Jesus always did the will of His Father in heaven. There was and still is peace between them. No one deliberately disobedient has real peace. Second, He constantly conquered His environment. I don't mean to say He brought it under His control. I mean He lived successfully with it as it was. He was always at peace whether He had a place to lay His head in rest, or not, whether things were as He liked them, or not. Having, or not having, food is always a problem for us, and hunger apparently did not please Him either. He cursed a fig tree for not having any fruit even though it was not fruit-bearing season. It did not cost Him His peace. He endured all the suffering the Jews and Romans could put on Him, but kept His peace. He was angry with those who sold merchandise for a profit within the temple court, He cast them out, overturning their tables, and wielded a whip in the process. Only God can dispense such correction without losing His peace, I believe.

Third, He kept His peace when people let Him down. Judas Iscariot is the prime example. He was with Jesus, enjoyed His presence, ate with Him, did all of the things the other disciples did, even held their treasury, but Judas betrayed Him. Jesus did not lose His peace. At the last supper, He dipped a piece of bread into His own bowl, gave it to Judas and sent him on to finish his beatrayal.

The above are just a few examples. Jesus always considered His Father's will before He said or did anything. Perhaps somewhere in all of that wonderful life He lived on earth lies an answer to what peace is. Thankfully, we don't have to define it. Every person who gives his or her life to Jesus in simple faith receives from Jesus the gift of His Own peace. There is no other like it, and no one else can provide it. It is ours to enjoy and appreciate whether we can define it, on not. It's part of the wonder of being Christian!