The Preacher’s Corner

Welcome to John chapter 12:1-8 as we prepare our hearts for the  triumphal entrance of "Melek ha-Olam" the King of the Universe! There  are 6 days left to Jesus' life on earth and each shall be filled with  tensions, animosities, trials and testing (mostly from His own  disciples). In this section we cover today Jesus has returned to the  "Devil's Den" being so close as 2 mile from Jerusalem and the council  that has decided it was time for Him to die! With spies all around Him,  He must carry on His mission for the Father until the appointed time  (which has not yet come)!! Within this section we see Jesus return to  Lazarus' house and a great dinner is prepared for Him. Of course Lazarus  is reclined at the table with Jesus, but Mary...! Martha can be found  where Martha always is, but how dare Mary be at the feet of Jesus!  Shouldn't she be with her sister serving those guests who have gathered  in number to see Jesus? And, why would Mary be so foolish as to waist  any of that precious dowry upon Jesus' feet? If she was so keen to give  away any possibility of hope in marriage, she easily could have sold the  ointment and given it to the "poor". Why place it upon Jesus' feet, and  why aren't you serving with Martha? These questions are to be addressed  this day with Pastor J, and you better hold on tight for you shall be  in the very presence of your KING!

Today in John 11:45-57 we finish off the chapter by watching the  Sanhedrin Council come together to make the final decision of Jesus'  death! Now, we know the Jews cannot kill Jesus for this is not a power  granted them from Rome, but they do seek His arrest so they can bring  their charges before Rome and pass Him over to execution! The reasoning  we find at the beginning of their deliberations is pathetic, for they  feared loosing their status among the people of Israel as well as the  Romans! Secondly, they were afraid Jesus' actions would cause Rome to  eliminate the nation of Israel and their "way of life." Such an amazing  section of Scriptures to consider today with Pastor J!!! Seems like a  lot of the same politics of our modern times eh!

As we dive into the conversations with Mary and Lazarus today in John  11:28-44 we shall find that not all conversation require words! As Mary  was lied to by Martha in saying Jesus wanted to speak with her, we find  at Mary's arrival to where Jesus was she simply fell to His feet seeking  the old and familiar comfort she had always received in the presence of  Jesus. Even though she said the same thing her sister Martha said, "If  you would have been here, my brother would not have died." Mary's tone  wasn't the same as Martha. The broken heart of Mary wept for Jesus as  much as for herself knowing how much Jesus loved Him. From that  conversation which was simply shared in tears, the next conversation was  with Lazarus, which involved a very simple command, "Arise!" This, and  so much more is revealed today with Pastor J, so hang on tight!!!

One of the most powerful conversations in the Bible happens today as we  get into John 11:17-27! Aside from the whole conversation, one of the  most important points to life is brought out by Jesus in the challenge  to the way Martha was thinking during this time together with her LORD,  and that point is, "...Do you believe?" After going through this  conversation with me in detail today I would ask the same from you, Do  you truly believe? I shall write no more and simply say this section of  Scripture is so very powerful for those who do believe for the promise  they give and the hope that springs eternal!!!

Today in John 11:1-16 we cover the initial conversation Jesus has with  His disciples concerning Lazarus, who had been ill and would ultimately  die before Jesus got to him! As Jesus spoke to them concerning him being  "asleep", he was referencing to the fact that a child of God can never  die, but that our bodies of corruption are returned to the corruption of  earth, our spirits being ushered into the throne room of God (in like  manner to the way the angels carried Lazarus into Abraham's bosom in  Luke 16). Again we discover the lack of understanding of Jesus'  disciples and receive powerful instruction concerning seeing the light,  and walking in the light of day ever mindful of the reality of the  darkness which always surrounds us! This and much more shall be shared  today with Pastor J!!!

This is a very exciting place to be in Scriptures today as we consider  Jesus' teachings in John 10:17-41. At the first He reveals the authority  He has over death in verses 17 and 18 when He states, "I have the  authority to lay down my life and I have the authority to raise back  up..." There is nothing more thrilling to a believer than to hear this  reality spoken by Jesus, for as we have placed our faith in Him we shall  not be disappointed at all but shall be raised in like manner to the  way He raised Himself, AMEN! From this point Jesus taught the reason why  some folks just don't seem to understand salvation. It's because they  aren't listening to Him! Hearts have grown cold and have become so  distant from God, though He were standing right next to you trying to  reach out to you your heart simply doesn't respond! To understand that  Jesus and the Father are one, and to be secured in the Father's hand  from being secured in the Son's hand; This is such a precious reality!  Lastly, we find the people ready to stone Jesus again, or at least take  Him into custody, as they claim He claims Himself to be something no man  could be (in their estimation, of course!). Such amazing things which  could be received today if you've got eyes to see and ears to hear!!!

Today in John chapter 10 we discover the connection between Jesus and  the Holy Spirit; how they work together, and how they are one! As Jesus  begins His teaching on being the door we discover there is no other way  unto the Father than through the Son. We also have an opportunity to see  the protection and provision of God through Jesus being our Door into  the fold! Next we see Jesus, the good Shepherd in comparison to so many  others who have led sheep astray and left them to be consumed by the  wolf as they see him approaching! Thank God Jesus is the one who goes  before us and guides/protects us from such a ravening predator. Some  really great things to receive from God's Word today with Pastor J, so  dig in!!!

As we continue in John 9:10-41, we deal with 3 conversations. The first  conversation happens between the former blind man and his neighbors in  his community. All in the community were amazed at this great miracle to  the point where some believed, and others thought there must have been a  twin or some other kind of mischief going on! When asked how he was  healed the former blind man said, "A man called Jesus..." At the very  mention of Jesus' name the Pharisees were called in because it was  understood that if you were to even mention His name you would be in  danger of being excommunicated from the faith! The second conversation  deals with the inquisition of the Pharisees against our former blind man  which led to them being so furious with the blind man they cursed him  and excommunicated him from the synagogue (and the faith according to  their beliefs). The third, and final conversation happened between Jesus  and the former blind man! In this conversation the fullness of the  former blind man's healing becomes understood and his faith is placed  squarely in Jesus as he testifies, "Lord, I believe!" Praise God for the  blessing of these 3 conversations and the testimony of salvation from  the former blind man!!!

Today in John chapter 9:1-9 we come across a man who was born blind. We  will hear from Jesus' disciples the same thing we hear from the  pharisees, "Who is guilty of sin that this man was born blind?" What a  shame exists in these words spoken, for they reveal the ignorance and  prejudice of, not only the Pharisees but also of those who were close to  Jesus! This is a very exciting place to be in Scripture and I will say  no more for the purpose of what shall be taught! Enjoy this message  today with Pastor J!!!

Today we finish off chapter 8 in the Gospel of John and are met with a  couple of hard, but simple truths revealed by Jesus which were not  understood, nor received by the Jews He was speaking to, and possibly by  those hearing today. For instance, Jesus taught that if we "Keep" His  word we would never taste of death. The Jews couldn't grasp this because  they firmly believed Abraham and the prophets were dead. What they did  not understand was the fact that the Spirit of man is eternal and will  either be eternally living with the Father (because of the work of the  Son), or will be eternally separated from God (because of the rejection  of Jesus). Another hang up they had was when Jesus told them "Abraham  rejoiced to see my day, and in fact did see me." They completely flipped  their lids on this one being as Jesus was in His thirties! Yet, they  did not realize Abraham's understanding of the gift of Isaac, and they  could not comprehend that this was all because of Jesus in the first  place as He said, "Before Abraham was, I am." This and much, much more  today with Pastor J!!!