TKO - Antagonistic Teaching of Jesus from the Book of John

In John 6, we see the first of seven "I AM" statements from Jesus Christ, seen only in the book of John.  I did a study on the "I AM's" of Jesus Christ several years ago and found it to be a fascinating study.  More so, because of the Old Testament connection to Exodus 3, Jesus was making in each of his statements.  

In John 6:35, Jesus states, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again.” - John 6:35 (NLT).  Jesus makes the same claim again later in John 6 - 

48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. 50 But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." 52 Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" John 6:48-52 (NIV) 

The imagery from Jesus was a bit gruesome, you know, eating his flesh and drinking his blood.  Not something your momma would approve of, nor mine.  Now, a good juicy steak, with some pink in the middle, no complaints on my part.  But when Jesus said "love your neighbor," this seems a bit contradictory.  

What Jesus really wanted us to understand through all the muddle was quite simple.  Jesus wanted us to understand was that eating his flesh and drinking his blood signified Jesus becoming "REAL" to us.  It was Jesus analogy to help us understand what being "Christ-like" is all about.  When we eat of his flesh (bread) and drink of his blood (cup) what is being illustrated is our willingness to absorb Christ into our lives.  This is not a one-time action that turns us into a Christ-like product.  A better understanding might be, as you are absorbing Christ into your life, otherwise known as becoming Christ-like.  


Beatle George Harrison once said that the "first really decent guitar" that he owned was the Gretsch Duo Jet. The electric guitar, manufactured by Gretsch Guitars, was known for its trebly tone. In the early '60s, Harrison bought the guitar for 70 pounds (about $200 at the time).
Early in 2011, Gretsch Guitars announced that the company would manufacture a limited run of 60 exact replicas of George Harrison's Duo Jet guitar as a tribute model. USA Today reported that "Gretsch Guitars product manager Joe Carducci says master [craftsman] Stephen Stern re-created the guitar precisely, replicating the nicks and dings of a half-century's use, even using a CAT scan to determine the semi-hollow guitar's body-chambering style." The suggested retail price for the tribute Duo Jets would be $20,000. This is an expensive guitar because it replicates a valuable original so closely. In the same way, you and I find our highest value in becoming an amazing replica of Someone whose worth is infinite: the Lord Jesus Christ.

As you continually absorb the worth of the Savior, you will find yourself becoming a replica of Him carried out in your life.

(For the first person who responds to this blog there is a gas card waiting.  Please comment.)

TKO - Antagonistic Teaching of Jesus from the book of John

John 5 begins what is known as the beginning of the greatest moments of hostility in the life of Jesus. Today’s text takes us to the Pool at Bethsaida, inside one of 8 gates known as the Sheep Gate (Herod’s Gate). It is a Sabbath day – possibly a regular Sabbath, Passover, Feast of Tabernacles or Hanukkah (Dedication) - 1 Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. 2 Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. 3 Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches -- John 5:1-3 (NLT)

The confrontation begins because Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath. This man, for 38-years waited by the pool for a chance to be healed and was always denied the chance because of his ailment. Many of Jesus miracles were meant to confront human regulations that had gone against the flow of God’s design. This particular miracle points at breaking the regulations of the Sabbath, specifically the 4th Commandment. 

The Religious Leaders made the Sabbath day a day of regulation, which was never the intention. All Jewish Sabbaths were to be “God-targeted.” It was meant to be a reunion. Sometimes a reunion of joy, sometimes irritation. The Sabbaths are days of reverence and devotion because God deserves it. Be careful that you don’t regulate your Sabbaths to become “ME” centered.  The Sabbaths were meant to center on a completely different subject -- rediscovering grace.

Grace is defined as "an undeserved blessing bestowed on man by God." The Sabbath in Jesus day had become consumed with legalistic demands instead of promoting a new life of joy. What Jesus wanted his listeners to understand was that the Sabbaths were made to target a grace transformation, a blessing bestowed on us by God undeservedly, and in turn that grace transmitted into the lives of others.

The Sabbath had turned into a day of performance and expectation. What Jesus wanted us to understand through this miracle was that the Sabbath was "for" man not "about" man. There was nothing we could bring nor any performance we could offer that God needed. What He desired from us was quite simple - 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise - Psalm 51:16-17 (NIV).

No gift you can give will suffice God's expectation, except the gift honor with a heart laid bare before the Creator with awe, reverence and love. 

Randy

TKO - Antagonistic Teaching of Jesus in the book of John

90% of John’s gospel is unique in comparison to the other three gospels. All 4-gospels, however, target the controversial or antagonistic teachings of Jesus. Teaching that angered the Religious Leaders of His day. John 2, is just such a place. This is probably the middle or later third of Jesus ministry. In John 2, Jesus is preparing for the Passover, a Jewish Sabbath Day -- 13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!"
John 2:13-16 (NIV) 

I know there have been numerous explanations for why Jesus would carry on like he did.  I've read several myself, all of which have a reasonable explanation.  The one that really seems to hit home for me, however, targets the issue of complacency.  


Thomas Edison stated - "We shall have no better conditions in the future if we are satisfied with all those which we have at present."  I think Jesus was angry because He saw complacency creep into temple worship.  On one of the holiest days of the Jewish Sabbath celebrations, He witnessed how complacency had infected temple worship, both in the leaders and in the worshipers.  Don't misunderstand, however, complacency begins from the top-down.  Jesus was sending a message to the Religious Leaders of the day by pointing a finger at their lack of leadership and the complacency of their hearts by letting His Father's house become a place that was "man-centered" instead of "God-centered."  


The same can be true and seen in the church today when we see God more in our buildings than our hearts; more in our personal needs than our spiritual giftedness and how that gift centers on engaging our neighbor and not our personal desires.  


I remember a pastor I worked under telling his congregation once, "for those of you that are believers, God bless you, because we are going to spend eternity together in heaven.  In the mean time, please allow me to spend time with those that are lost instead of visiting you in your homes."  


Tough statement to make to your church family, I know, but it attacked the heart of what could have led to complacency within the church he served.  Don't get me wrong, we need to care for one another, but complacency will always center on self if we are not careful in reminding ourselves of our mission and target, and how we get there.


Randy