Category Archives: John

John

John 4:45-54

I feel like we have been in John chapter 4 forever, but finally we come to Galilee. Galilee means circuit. When I was in sunday school I always thought of Galilee as a small town, but really it is the name of an area made of of twenty towns that sort of form a loop or circuit which is where it got it’s name.

John 4:45: Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galileans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.

Note that they receive him because of what they have SEEN not like the Samaritans who believed him because of his word.

John 4:46: So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. 47: When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. 48: Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.

Note how this guy doesn’t have faith. Sure he asked, but Jesus is very clear that the guy needs to see in order to believe.

John 4:49: The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. 50: Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.

Now this part I wonder about because it says he believed and it is the same word in the Greek, but when you get to verse 53 it says he believed and his whole house. I tend to think that this belief is more like he was consoled. Like when you talk to a loved one and they say everything will be alright and you believe they are right and feel better. It’s the kind of belief that isn’t very deep and will fade quickly.

John 4:51: And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. 52: Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. 53: So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.

Again here we see how once he saw he truly believed.

John 4:54: This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.

Remember the field that was ready four months early? Well that didn’t count as a miracle. We are told of a lot of people Jesus healed so why are we given this one? And why is this given specifically as his second? Remember Christ teaches on many levels so let’s look at what he did and see what he was trying to teach us.

Remember Christ came for the lost sheep of the tribe of Israel. What was the state of Israel at this time? They were on the point of death. Ten tribes were gone and had forgotten who they were. The ones that remained bearly had a country. In a few years the temple would be mowed down. The priests were a bunch of crooks that were more interested in profits than teaching and their faith was a joke. Much like the life of this son.

Christ healed this son at the seventh hour. Seven in biblical numberics mean spiritual completeness. What does that tell us here? First, I want to tell you that if this goes over your head don’t worry and if you ever want a question answered just ask or ask for a study to be done on a topic. The Lord’s day is the seventh day. Peter tells us in 2 Peter 3:8 that a day with the Lord is like a thousand years with man. This is what many call the Millennium. It is the time when we are not in the flesh. Christ is in the temple and only the those that overcame in the flesh can come to him. Satan is locked up for all to see and the word is taught without his junk getting in the way. At the end of that time Satan is released again only this time he doesn’t get to do his fancy magic tricks and whoever wants to follow him into the lake of fire is welcome to go and unfortunately many do. That marks the end of the Lord’s day and the beginning of eternity. That is when Israel is complete and that is what this seventh hour is referring to.

John

John 4:39-44

In an effort to keep these posts short we stopped the last one right after Christ showed the disciples that the field was white and ready to harvest. We talked about how this was a sign of the firstfruits and today we are going to see how those firstfruits are firstfruits because they have the faith to believe like a child.

John 4:39: And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.

Christ told this woman that he was the messiah. Why was she the only one he told directly who he was? I believe it was because she didn’t question. She didn’t say, “well in Isaiah it says this…” or “I thought that.” She just believed and went and told her town who also believed.

John 4:40: So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. (41): And many more believed because of his own word; (42): And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

These are people who the Jews refused to have any dealings with and yet they are calling him the messiah. They are not asking if he is Elijah or some other prophet and they believed because of his words. Yes the woman drew them in, but it was the WORD that cemented their belief.

John 4:43: Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee. (44): For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.

Here is one final proof that while this is largely a gentile controlled part of the world these people were not gentiles because Jesus identifies it as his country. One scripture that could run counter to this line of thinking is:

Matthew 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

It is possible that because these people had faith and accepted him he considered them his people. But we have to remember Christ was sent, but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

John

John 4:31-38

We left off with the woman at the well charging off into the city to tell them about Christ. I want to bring one thing up before we move on. Christ revealed himself to this woman and it was a woman that brings the town to him. We also see that after the the crucifixion it was the two Marys that waited by the tomb that brought the news to the world. We could do several studies on this topic alone so I only want to remind you in passing that both these women are symbols of Israel and it is Israel that reveals Christ to this world.

That said here we are with the woman running off to tell the town and Christ is alone with his disciples.

John 4:31: In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. (32): But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.

Remember earlier in the chapter he brought up the living water and now he is moving onto meat.

John 4:33: Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?

And the disciples aren’t any different than the woman because they are thinking flesh.

John 4:34: Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. (35): Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. John 4:36: And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. (37): And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. (38): I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.

I have read and listened to a lot of preachers cover this and say that the world was ready for Christ. This town, as we will see in the next segment, is certainly ready to accept Christ so this statement is true. And it is true that the disciples who didn’t tell this town about the coming messiah is going to reap the benefits of another’s work, but there is more to it.

On the absolute deepest level this is pointing to predestination and even giving some hints as to the timing of the tribulation, but let’s not take it that far at this time. Right now I want to to note the three things Christ has given us, a four month early crop, a white harvest and the field.

Let’s start with the field. We know from the parable of the sower that the field is the world and I think we can all agree that the symbolism carries over. The four months early also points to the earth since four in biblical numerics is earth. So what about this white harvest and what does it mean exactly that it is ready early?

At this time there were basically three harvests, spring (barley and wheat), summer (grapes) and fall (olives). Olives and grapes do not turn white when they are ready to harvest so were are talking about one of the spring harvests. The wheat always comes after the barley. Barley being symbolic of the firstfruits or election makes it safe to say that if a crop is early it’s going to be barley. Taking it a step further Christ is talking about finishing his work. The work he finished for his first dispensation was dying on the cross, which points to Passover. Remember Christ became our Passover (I Corinthians 5:7) and barley was the grain used during Passover.

Knowing that barley is harvested at or around Passover, late March to early April we can say that this took place late November to early December.

So putting that all together what is Christ teaching us here? The people in this town is going to accept Christ at his word. That is faith and by their faith they are justified, made white. Remember Christ is on his way to Galilee and we are going to see there that they are quite different. They are going to need a sign and what sign do they get?

Matthew 16:4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

So when we cover that I want you to remember this picture that Christ has given us.

John

John Part 9 The woman at the well

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The beginning of this chapter is really a continuation from the last.

 John 4:1: When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,

 The Pharisees were angry that John was baptizing and it wasn’t time for them to take hold of Christ.

 John 4:2: (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)

 It is important that Christ doesn’t baptize the masses. Just as he didn’t feed the 4000 and the 5000 with the loaves and fishes. The disciples did. He blessed it and gave to his disciples and they gave it to the people. We see this again in the millennium age when only the overcomers are able to go into the temple to commune with him and those overcomers go out to the people.

 John 4:3: He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.

John 4:4: And he must needs go through Samaria.

 Location is very important when trying to understand everything the Lord is trying to show us. Samaria is located north of Judaea and is part of the old Israel Kingdom. As you may know the kingdom split in two. The northern 10 tribes called Israel or Ephraim and the southern two forming Judah. The northern kingdom continued on until we get to 2 Kings 17. I encourage you to read this whole chapter but for the sake of brevity I will only insert a few verses.

2 Kings 17:5: Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years. 2 Kings 17:6: In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.

So if Israel wasn’t there then who is?

2 Kings 17:24: And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof.

So we have non-Israelites living here, but hold on:

2 Kings 17:25: And so it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they feared not the LORD: therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which slew some of them. 2 Kings 17:26: Wherefore they spake to the king of Assyria, saying, The nations which thou hast removed, and placed in the cities of Samaria, know not the manner of the God of the land: therefore he hath sent lions among them, and, behold, they slay them, because they know not the manner of the God of the land. 2 Kings 17:27: Then the king of Assyria commanded, saying, Carry thither one of the priests whom ye brought from thence; and let them go and dwell there, and let him teach them the manner of the God of the land. 2 Kings 17:28: Then one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and dwelt in Bethel, and taught them how they should fear the LORD.

 So we see how God always keeps a remnant. OK so this is all well and good, but how does this pertain to this passage? In the next few verses Christ is going to speak with a woman and this woman is going to symbolize Israel itself.

 John 4:5: Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.

 Joseph you can remember had two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh and was given a double portion in Israel.

 John 4:6: Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. John 4:7: There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. John 4:8: (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) John 4:9: Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

Pulling from our knowledge gained from 2 Kings we can begin to understand why the Jews didn’t like the Samaritans. The Samaritans practiced their religion and this made the Jews jealous because they were God’s chosen people and He was their God.

John 4:10: Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

It is clear Christ knows her heart. He isn’t telling her that you should’ve asked me for water, he is saying that I know you want the Messiah.

John 4:11: The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?

Natural enough question.

John 4:12: Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?

She is thinking in the flesh be careful you don’t. What is God trying to show us here? Jacob’s physical seed is what gave us Christ. Just as here Jacob’s well is giving us (the physical) water. Christ is giving us the spiritual water.

Now don’t read over the fact that she said Jacob is their father. Meaning what? Meaning she is one of the twelve tribes. Note Christ did not correct her on this. “But, I thought we just read that those in Samaria are not of Israel.” Yes we did, but we also read that the king of Assyria brought back priests to teach.

OK do you want further proof? Matthew 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and intoanycity of the Samaritans enter ye not:

Matthew 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Jesus would not do something that he told his disciples not to do. Remember Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

OK so back to John:

John 4:13: Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:John 4:14:But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:15: The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.

She is still thinking in the physical. Drawing water was a lot of work back then and had to be done constantly. If some guy says he has some magic water I can have that would make life easier then…well is it any different today when a salesman says he can make you lose weight with a pill or has a new super cleaning tool that makes it a joy to clean?

John 4:16: Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. John 4:17: The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: John 4:18:For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.

Here is where everyone turns off their brains and says the woman is a whore. Seldom does Christ bring up a person’s shortcomings so let’s focus on why Christ even brought it up.

Now focus: Christ didn’t make this stop just because he was tired and he didn’t bring up these five husbands for nothing. Remember I told you she represented Israel? Christ is bringing this up so that you will know he is teaching on a much deeper level. Five is the number of grace and surely when Christ is talking about giving the living water and everlasting life we are talking about grace, but there is more to it.

Who was Israel supposed to be married to? God. To God we are his bride and we are to be true to him. Israel was not true which is why God had them carried away by the Assyrians, but God took it a step further and divorced Israel

Jeremiah 3:8: And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.

*note this is necessary as God was free to remarry the church. i.e. whomsoever will.

So if God was the first husband who are the others? Well when they left God they went to Assyria, making the third Babylon, the fourth Persia, fifth the Greeks and the man she is living with now, but is not her husband the Romans.

John 4:19: The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. John 4:20: Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

Why is she talking about his? Do you know what she is talking about? This is again talking about the split between Judah and Israel. Before the split there was one temple in Jerusalem and you had to go there to worship. After the split Jeroboam make another temple in the north. The problem being is he put in two golden calves for them to worship and set the whole thing up at a place of idolatry.

John 4:21: Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

Naturally, we don’t have to travel somewhere to talk or worship the Father.

John 4:22:Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

This is Israel at its core. Here is what Paul says:

Romans 10:1-3 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

See this woman, just as Israel is clueless about God and how to please him and I tell you it really isn’t any different today.

John 4:23:But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. John 4:24:Godisa Spirit: and they that worship him must worshiphimin spirit and in truth. John 4:25: The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.

You see she is looking for the Messiah. She wants to know God. She has that zeal.

John 4:26: Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee amhe.John 4:27: And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?

I would think by this time they knew better.

John 4:28: The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the me John 4:29: Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?John 4:30: Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.

Here again we see that zeal. It is the same zeal we see out of any of God’s children. When they hear the truth. The real truth they are compelled to share it and Israel is the same way. We will continue this story in the next post as this one is getting long, but I pray you can see how this woman represents Israel. How they have that zeal for God, but always finds way to make their own way to him. Pray that you follow His way and are not making your own way else when the Messiah comes you might not recognize him when he speaks. For his sheep know his voice.

John

John Part 8 Christ increases

This part of John is rather straight forward, but we will cover it anyway.

John 3:22:  After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.

We will see in the next chapter that Jesus only baptized his disciples.  This is important and we will cover why.

John 3:23:  And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

The meaning of the word Aenon is springs and Salim, peace.  This is neat to note that John is baptizing in the springs of peace.
It is also good to note that John was here because there was much water.  Baptism is a symbol of us dying in the flesh.  It is a total thing and the symbolism requires submersion.  If you only needed to be sprinkled John would not need to go to where there is a lot of water.

John 3:24:  For John was not yet cast into prison.
John 3:25:  Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.
John 3:26:  And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

They are asking why Christ is taking over.

John 3:27:  John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

And it is true all things come from God.

John 3:28:  Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.

John never declared himself head honcho.

John 3:29:  He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

The friend of the bridegroom was the person that attended the groom, settled details between the bride and groom etc.  It was a great honor.  John, by paving the way, was getting the bride ready for Christ.  He understood that this wasn’t about him or his ministry.  He understood this was about God.  John was given this great honor because God knew he would be able to perform this duty.  He could trust John.  He didn’t suddenly start a religious war or claim some hold over Christ just because he baptized him.

John 3:30:  He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:31:  He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

Things of he flesh mean little to the heavenly.  Bank loans, stubbed toes and broken coffee pots are not the topics of angels.

John 3:32:  And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.

Christ spoke of God and his kingdom and no man was able to understand it because we are flesh and understand the things of the flesh.

John 3:33:  He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.

Does this say that while in the flesh we cannot accept his testimony?  In part surely for Paul told us this.

1Co 13:11  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
1Co 13:12  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
1Co 13:13  And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

While in the flesh we are always going to struggle to understand.  Can a line understand a square?  Can a square understand a cube?  The ways of God are contrary to the ways of the flesh, but we have forgiveness and if we seek him we will receive his testimony even if we do not understand all of it.

John 3:30:  Jesus must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:31:  Jesus that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: Jesus that cometh from heaven is above all.
John 3:32:  And what Jesus hath seen and heard, that Jesus testifieth; and no man receiveth Jesus’ testimony.

Remember the purpose of the Gospel of John is to show Jesus as God.

John 3:33:  He that hath received Jesus testimony hath set to Jesus seal that God is true.
John 3:34:  For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

We are to ask for our daily bread.  Our daily portion of the mana from heaven.  Christ is that bread and just as there was no end to the loaves and fishes there is no end to his bread.
John 3:35:  The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

John 3:36:  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

John

John part 7 How to recieve everlasting life

I am sorry that John part 6 didn’t really have much of an intro or closing.  To be honest what I had, had been sitting on my desktop for a while and I just wanted to move on.

The Greek manuscripts do not have any paragraph breaks anywhere here, but many scholars agree that this should be the start of a new paragraph.  In the last part Christ was explaining to Nicodemus about being born with the spirit.  Do not forget that there are two births there are also two deaths, that of the flesh and that of the spirit.  The second death does not occur until after the millenium (Day of the Lord) when all those that choose to follow Satan at that time are cast into the lake of fire.

In this part Christ is going to explain HOW our spirits are born.

John 3:13  And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

All Souls come from God and when we leave this flesh body we return to the Father that gave it.  This isn’t a new thought either.  Take a look at Ecclesiastes:

Ecclesiastes 12:6:  Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.

This isn’t talking about pots it is talking our bodies.

Ecclesiastes 12:7:  Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Our bodies are just dust, but our spirits return onto God.  This is why Christ told Nicodemus that he should have know these things.

John 3:14:  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

Christ is like a serpent?  What?  I thought Satan was the serpent.  Don’t worry he is.  So what is Christ talking about here?  He is referencing Numbers 21:9  Let’s turn there so we follow along.  Remember Christ teaches so that everyone can understand if they will take the time to try.

Numbers 21:4:  And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.

Earlier in this selfsame chapter God had just delivered the Canaanite into their hand.  God is providing manna, but they still want to complain about a bit of a walk.

Numbers 21:5:  And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.

This light bread they loath is the manna and you should know that God gave them manna as a physical example of the word.  Remember the prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread.”  Spiritually speaking they are loathing God’s word and whenever you do that friends he will make make our Father angry.

Numbers 21:6:  And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.

The word fiery here isn’t that they spit fireballs or anything.  Rather their bites felt like fire.

Numbers 21:7:  Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.

Here is why Christ brought us here.  The people admitted their sin.  I am sure that you are all aware that John 3:16 coming up and what that verse says.

Numbers 21:8:  And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

Here is that lifting up that Christ was talking about.

Numbers 21:9:  And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

Beheld here makes it seems like anyone that saw this brass serpent thing were ok, but there is more to it than that so lets pull up the word beheld here:

H5027  נבט  nâbaṭ  naw-bat’
A primitive root; to scan, that is, look intently at; by implication to regard with pleasure, favor or care: – (cause to) behold, consider, look (down), regard, have respect, see.

As you can see it is more than just seeing.  It is looking intently, regarding, respect.  Just as you can’t just say oh there is Christ I am fine.  You need to put a little more into it than that.

So why did God use a serpent here and what is the connection to Christ.  For one you must understand that Satan doesn’t do anything unless it is God’s will.  Which is why oft times God will call Satan’s army his own army.  (See Joel 2 and Revelation 9 if you have questions on this).  Looking upon the brass serpent was more of showing them who was power over the serpent.  Remember when Moses cast down his staff before Pharaoh and it turned into a serpent and then pharaoh’s’s magicians did the same, but Moses’ rod ate theirs up. Why? Again because God has power over Satan so keep your eyes on the one lifted up and the snake on the ground cannot hurt you.

John 3:15:  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Understand the theme here now?  Did you think this concept was new that Christ brought it?

John 3:16:  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Now does Satan believe in Christ?  Certainly he tried to stop him when he was fasting in the desert.  The legions of demons called him by name when he was about to cast them out.  So then what does this believeth mean?  Let’s pull up the word.

G4100  πιστεύω  pisteuō  pist-yoo’-o
From G4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), that is, credit; by implication to entrust (especially one’s spiritual well being to Christ): – believe (-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.

Again it is to have faith in and by implication to entrust.  Entrust what?  Your spirit of course.  Satan does not do that he wants to be in charge.  Make sure that you are entrusting your soul to him.

John 3:17:  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
John 3:18:  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Many religions accept that Christ walked the earth.  Many say that he was a great teacher and that he came from God, but they do not accept him as messiah.  They do not accept him as Immanuel, God with us.  They do not under stand Jesus (Yashusha) mean’s Yahaveh’s savior (God’s savior).

Do you?

John 3:19:  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

It is often hard to understand how it is that men would choose evil.  We live in an age where we don’t have to look very hard to see evil, but as a child of light it is hard to understand.  Or is it?  How often do we decide not to cast off things we know are not of God?  It is easier to do than you think.  Have you ever come from a dark room where your e yes have adjusted and you are comfortable.  You may even think you see what is about you then someone turns on a light or opens a window and you flinch and your eyes reject the light.

John 3:20:  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
John 3:21:  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

And that is true.  Our eyes only see blacks and whites in the dark, but the world comes alive with color when you step from the shadows and follow God.  It maybe hard at first to adapt to the light your eyes maybe even a bit blurry for a while until you adjust, but they will adjust if you stay in the light.

Remember this if you are new to Christianity.  Remember this is if you have been in the light for some time.  Remember how hard it is and how blurry things can be for a new person.  Be patient and already remember to keep your eyes on Christ and he will NEVER let you down.

John

John part 6 Christ explains born from above

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John 2:23:  Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.

Remember the law was to come to Jerusalem at passover so Christ is there.  Now notice that many believed, but only when they saw the miracles he did.  Blessed are you who believe and do not see.

John 2:24:  But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,

This word commit doesn’t quite cut it.  Let’s pull it up.

G4100  πιστεύω  pisteuō  pist-yoo’-o
From G4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), that is, credit; by implication to entrust (especially one’s spiritual well being to Christ): – believe (-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.

So it isn’t that Christ didn’t have faith unto himself it means that he knew their faith was because they saw the miracles.  Thus he knew all men and really today if you have that gift of discernment it isn’t that hard for the Holy Spirit to reveal a person’s motives or where their mind is.

John 2:25:  And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

And this is just a continuation of this thought.  Testify here is bear witness.  Christ didn’t need anyone to tell him what was in the heart of  a man.

John 3:1:  There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

They are still in Jerusalem.  A a ruler in Jerusalem is a member of the Sanhedrin.  The same Sanhedrin that will eventually demand Christ gets crucified.  Most likely Nicodemus (meaning conqueror of the people) was not there at that time along with Joseph of Arimathea.
History tells us that he was one of the richest men in Jerusalem.  Ever hear of a rich super preacher?

John 3:2:  The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

Note when Nicodemus comes to him.  Does he arrive by day? No he comes at night no doubt to hide his visit from the rest of the super preachers errr I mean Sanhedrin.  I am sure he would be in hot water if Caiaphas heard about this.

I don’t want you to get the wrong picture of Nicodemus.  He does recognize that Christ is sent from God that is a far cry from the rest of them that think he casts out devils in Satan’s name.  And he does call him Rabbi meaning master, it’s a respectful address.

John 3:3:  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

I am sure you have all heard the phrase, “born again,” but really it means born from above.  Let’s pull up the word.

G509  ἄνωθεν  anōthen  an’-o-then
From G507; from above; by analogy from the first; by implication anew: – from above, again, from the beginning (very first), the top.

John 3:4:  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

Nicodemus isn’t getting it, but don’t worry Christ will explain.

John 3:5:  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

This is why again doesn’t really convey the complete thought.  We are born from water meaning the water in the womb.  What breaks before we come?  And of the spirit.  This is from above and without Christ our spirit is dead.  The wages of sin is death.

John 3:6:  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 3:7:  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

See Christ expects a leader of Israel to know this.

John 3:8:  The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Sometimes I wonder if the translators of this verse fell asleep.  They did a great work, but did they read this and expect anyone to understand it?

the word wind here is pneuma and should be spirit.  Let me try to put this verse in a way you can follow

The Spirit breathes where it He pleases, and you hear the voice thereof, but you cannot tell where is comes from or where it goes:  so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Basically it says that the Holy Spirit goes where it will, but we can’t tell where it comes from.

John 3:9:  Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
John 3:10:  Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

This is the second time that Christ is asking why he doesn’t know.

John 3:11:  Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

Truly, Truly we (him and the disciples) have told you that we know and we tell you this, but your not believing us.

John 3:12:  If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

It’s easy here to look down upon Nicodemus here, but how many of us understand the spiritual things Christ teaches?  Do you understand the parables and why he fed the 4,000?

John

John part 5 Christ kicks butt

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John 2:12:  After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.

After what?  After the wedding.

John 2:13:  And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,

Remember passover was given to all of Israel but the 10 tribes in the north were taken by Assyria.  The two southern tribes Benjamin and Judah (often just grouped together and called Judah.  Benjamin was very small after most of them were killed in the book of Judges) were taken to Babylon but returned 70 years later.  A remnant of them anyway.  You can read about this in Ezra and Nehemiah.

Christ is also king of all of Israel not just the Jews.

John 2:14:  And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:

There are several things going on here and remember Christ taught on 3 levels.

John 2:15:  And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables;

This scourge of small cords is a cat of nine tails whip.

John 2:16:  And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.

So let’s take this one step at a time.  During this time the pharisees were using a temple currency called a half shekel and you had to have these in order to “conduct business” in the temple.  They set the rate of exchange to whatever they wanted.  Basically whatever they could rake the people over the coals for.

The purpose of the doves etc were for sacrifice and it was supposed to be the first fruits of our labor and given in love and they had turned it into a one stop shopping to make God happy.  Well God wasn’t happy.

Now let’s take it a bit deeper.  What were they supposed to be doing in the temple?  They were supposed to be giving out the Word of the Lord.  Instead they were selling short cuts.  Take a look at:

Jeremiah 23:1:  Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.
Jeremiah 23:2:  Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.

Do you see how angry this makes God when the pastors don’t do what they are supposed to do.  Read the read of that chapter in Jeremiah and you will understand even more.

At the very root of it all what they were doing was causing Israel to sin and to God that isn’t any different than if you had a golden calf standing there.  Pastors that set up new or different ways to God lead God’s children straight to the road to hell and it makes him  ANGRY.

Lastly what is the temple symbolic of? 1 Corinthians 3:16:  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?  We are going to see that Christ is going to talk of himself as the temple in just a moment.  So what is Christ showing us here?  He is cleaning out the temple.  Just as he cleaned out the evil spirits out of the man with a legion of demons in him.  Remember what he said when you clean out an evil spirit?  You have to fill the house else the spirit will return with a few of his buddies (see Luke 11).  What is Christ going to fill the temple with?  The Holy Spirit which is given 50 days after his resurrection.

John 2:17:  And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.

This is quoted from Psalms 69.  Whenever a verse is quoted it is a good practice to go back and read the chapter it is from.  There you will see it mentions a flood.  Symbolicly we see that a flood represents the flood of lies that come from Satan’s mouth.  Revelation 12:15:  And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.

John 2:18:  Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?

They always want a sign don’t they?  There is nothing wrong with asking for Father’s direction, but that is not what they are doing here.  They are demanding He proof himself.  What did Christ tell tell them?
Matthew 12:39:  But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
Matthew 12:40:  For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

He is telling them the same here.

John 2:19:  Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
John 2:20:  Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?

They are thinking in the flesh.  Be careful you don’t.  It is easy to do, but when you think in the flesh you cannot understand Christ.

John 2:21:  But he spake of the temple of his body.
John 2:22:  When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

This is in part my opinion so you can take it or leave it, but I don’t think he wanted a temple built necessarily.  When Israel wanted a king he wanted to be their king, but he gave them one.  Yes God did tell Solomon to build the temple so I won’t argue with this point, but take a look these scriptures and let’s see if maybe we can get a grasp on the emotions and feelings of our Father.

2 Samuel 7:5:  Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?

Are you David going to build me a house?  Remember Christ just said his body was the temple not a collection of cedar.

2 Samuel 7:6:  Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.

Remember God didn’t even want them to shape the stones they used to build altars.  Why because he didn’t want man’s hand fashioning it.  We can’t cut it without the blood of our Savior.

2 Samuel 7:7:  In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?

God is making it very clear this wasn’t his idea.  You can read the rest on this on your own.  God Bless you all and if this has helped you in anyway don’t just “like” it “share” it.

John

John part 4- A wedding in Cana

Before we dive into chapter 2 I want to bring out that we are going to see 8 signs in this book of John.  The marriage in chapter 2 being the first.  The first and the last sign are linked.  We will cover that more when we get to the last sign.

John 2:1:  And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

This is the third day after Christ gathered his disciples making this the 7th day of the week.  Spiritually this will point to the wedding Christ will have when he returns.

John 2:2:  And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

This is important to note who is called to the wedding

John 2:3:  And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

Again you have to turn on your spiritual eyes and see what it is this sign is showing us.  Israel at this time didn’t have wine.  That is to say the blood of Christ.  They had the law without grace.

John 2:4:  Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

In English this sounds a bit pompous or rude, but really Christ is being respectful and it’s like saying Ma’am.

John 2:5:  His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

Disciplined students.  Follow Christ.

John 2:6:  And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

These are some big stone pots.  A firkin is just under 9 gallons.  So we have each one anywhere from 18 to 27 gallons a piece.  This tells us it is a large party.

Also note the number 6 here.  Six is the number for man or the weakness of man.

John 2:7:  Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

First thing to note here is that the vessels were empty.  Just as without Christ man is empty.

Second and this is something often overlooked when reading the bible, is this took some work.  Just because it is contained in one verse didn’t mean it didn’t take time.  Imagine having to fill 6 bathtubs full of water by drawing it from a well.

Remember when Christ gave the loaves and fishes?  Well it was the disciples that handed out the loaves and fish not Christ.  Christ gave it to them and they in turn gave it to the people.  Now look at this, Christ tells the disciples to fill the pots with water.

John 2:8:  And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.

Now symbolicly God is the governor of the feast or the father of the bridegroom (Christ).

John 2:9:  When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
John 2:10:  And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

See most parties gave out the good stuff at first and when everyone is liquorered up they hand out the crap.

John 2:11:  This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

So what do we have.  The disciples filling the empty pots, but it is Christ that turns it into wine and makes it acceptable.  Two things I want to call to mind.

First think about the parable of the sower, how the seed is the word of God and how it pertains to this verse: 1 Corinthians 3:6:  I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.  Here we see that it is our job to spread the word, but it is God that causes that seed to grow.

Second note that the wine was complete.  It wasn’t new wine.  Let’s examine the the following verses.

Matthew 9:15:  And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

There is a lot here on this verse but for the time being let’s only look at the bridegroom reference.

Matthew 9:16:  No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.

Clothes shrink when they are washed.  Take a pair of jeans.  If you take an old pair of jeans and put a new chunk of denim over the hole the new piece will shrink and it will pucker up.

Matthew 9:17:  Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

Here is why I brought you here.  Wine bottles of the day were wine skins made from animals and new wine skins were flexible, but as they aged they lost their elasticity.

Christ is that new wine.

Wine is made from crushed grapes and yeast.  The yeast takes the sugar from the grape and converts it to carbon dioxide and alcohol.  If a wine skin wasn’t flexible it couldn’t withstand the expanding of the carbon dioxide.  The alcohol removes any foreign bactria etc.  Christ likened this to accepting his word and him working (growing) within us.

The wine at the wedding if ready.

Matthew 9:18:  While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.

Note Christ is still talking thus the topic has not changed.
Remember Christ does not perform side show miracles.  Let’s try to ascertain the purpose of this upcoming miracle.

We have a daughter that is dead.  Israel at this time is dead. Take note of Ezekiel 37 (the dry bones) and Jeremiah 3:8 where God divorced Israel.

Note the faith the man has at the end of the verse.

Matthew 9:19:  And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.
Matthew 9:20:  And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:

Here is another woman.  Note the 12 years and compare it to the 12 tribes of Israel.  God is reinforcing the idea that he is talking about the state of Israel and how Christ was sent to the lost sheep of the tribe of Israel.

Matthew 9:21:  For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.

Again Faith.

Matthew 9:22:  But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

What will save Israel?  What is it the Christ wants from us?  It isn’t bubble-gum cards.

Matthew 9:23:  And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,

back to the dead girl.

Matthew 9:24:  He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
Matthew 9:25:  But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.

Again Ezekiel 37 when he preaches to the dry bones. READ IT!

John

The Gospel of John part 3 John 1:35 to 1:51

John 1:35:  Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;
John 1:36:  And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

I know I am probably making this post too long but let’s look at what John is declaring here.

Isaiah 53:1:  Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

John’s report.

Isaiah 53:2:  For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

Christ did not come as a rock star or as the sexiest man of the year.  This word comeliness here mean he didn’t come with any glamor or splendor.  He was born in a barn.

Isaiah 53:3:  He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

John knew he would not be accepted.

Isaiah 53:4:  Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Isaiah 53:5:  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Christ died for us why?  For out transgressions not his.  Don’t you ever forget that.

Isaiah 53:6:  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:7:  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

This is why I brought you here.  Don’t forget this is why Christ did not defend himself at his trial.

Isaiah 53:8:  He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

Hey it wasn’t supposed to be a secret that he would die for us.  God doesn’t just make up new stuff.  He never changes.  He is our rock that if you build upon you don’t need to worry about cracks in your foundation.

John 1:37:  And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

And naturally of course.  John’s ministry was done and we follow Christ.

John 1:38:  Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?
John 1:39:  He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.

The tenth hour would make it about 4 p.m. To us this doesn’t seem late, but they didn’t have electric light and cars to zip home in.

John 1:40:  One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.

Disciple 1 Andrew (manly)

John 1:41:  He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

Again don’t forget what did he find? The Anointed One.

John 1:42:  And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

Cephas is Peter.  Now I want you to pay attention.  Peter is the only disciple that Christ named.  And when God is handing out names you had better pay attention.  So why did Christ change his name?  Let’s look at the following verses.

Matthew 16:14:  And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
Matthew 16:15:  He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Matthew 16:16:  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Matthew 16:17:  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 16:18:  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Make sure you turn a religion out of this.  Christ is our rock.  We don’t go to Peter, just as we didn’t go to Moses we went to God.  If you start praying to other people or things you are so far off the path I pray for your soul.  The first commandment is to Love and Serve God alone.  But that doesn’t change that he did build the church upon Peter.

John 1:43:  The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.
John 1:44:  Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

Philip (lover of horses) and Bethsaida (house of fish).

John 1:45:  Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

Nathanael (Given of God)

John 1:46:  And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

Why was Nazareth looked down upon?  Galilee being in the north they spoke differently than the people living in Judea in the south.  We know that their speech was different because of how quickly Peter was picked out from the crowd when he denied Christ.  Think of the differences between speakers from Northern and Southern United States.  Nazareth was in Galilee and was a small town in Galilee so it was like us saying, “Messiah is coming out of that hickville?”

John 1:47:  Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

John 1:48:  Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.

Now I don’t want to make more out of this than is said, but I want you to be aware that whenever fig’s or trees are mentioned you should perk up.  Why?  fig’s have always been a symbol of something hidden or covered up.  It is most easily seen in Genesis when Adam and Eve coved their nakedness with…what?  Fig leaves.

John 1:49:  Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
John 1:50:  Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.

Just because I saw you under a fig tree you believe?

John 1:51:  And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.