CAF Bible Study - The Gospel of John

[lak611]

An interesting point and one that may be somewhat supported by traditional writings that say that the Blessed Virgin grew up in the temple the way that Samuel the prophet did. IOW she may well have been femiliar with Isaiah’s writings.

That’s why Mary was initially troubled when the angel Gabriel appeared to her. Because she knew that angels appearing always meant that God was going to do some kind of miracle. Also, Simeon prophesied to Mary what would happen regarding Jesus. So, Mary probably remembered both of these events when Jesus mentioned “His hour”.

 

[Mannyfit75]

That’s why Mary was initially troubled when the angel Gabriel appeared to her. Because she knew that angels appearing always meant that God was going to do some kind of miracle. Also, Simeon prophesied to Mary what would happen regarding Jesus. So, Mary probably remembered both of these events when Jesus mentioned “His hour”.

She probably was startled when Jesus mention his hour. Do you suppose at the wedding feast at Cana know that her son must suffer, die and rise again on the third day?

 

[maryj]

So is it true there was an ancient manuscript called,
“What to expect, when you’re expecting… the Messiah”, by Rabbi Joseph BarSpok?

 

[Church_Militant]

John, chapter 3
1: Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicode’mus, a ruler of the Jews.
2: This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.”
3: Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
4: Nicode’mus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
5: Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
6: That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7: Do not marvel that I said to you, `You must be born anew.’
8: The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit.”
9: Nicode’mus said to him, “How can this be?”
10: Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand this?
11: Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen; but you do not receive our testimony.
12: If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
13: No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man.
14: And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up,
15: that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”
16: For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
17: For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
18: He who believes in him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
19: And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20: For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
21: But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God.

 

[NotWorthy]

John, chapter 3

1: Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicode’mus, a ruler of the Jews.
2: This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.”

Our good friend Nicodemus is a great example of the conversion of some of the Jews. Notice he approaches Jesus " by night", ostensibly for fear of the other Pharisees chastising him. But with John, you know there is a deeper meaning.

He approaches “from the darkness” because he is drawn to the Light, Jesus. Later on in John’s Gospel, we’ll see Nicodemus arguing with the Pharisees that maybe Jesus is the Messiah. Then, finally, at the foot of the Cross, our Nicodemus is there to help bury Jesus.

I like Nicodemus!

 

[Church_Militant]

John, chapter 3

1: Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicode’mus, a ruler of the Jews.
2: This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him."This, to me, gives us some insight into the Jewish leaders.

(There is also a traditional Gospel of Nicodemus that purports to be Nicode’mus’s account of the passion of Our Lord. It’s interesting reading. (New Advent Encyclopedia entry.)

 

[maryj]

I like Nicodemus too, he reminds me of myself. Nicodemus sought a theological discussion, Jesus invited him to a conversion.
Nicodemus liked teacher talk, Jesus insisted on personal committment. Nicodemus wanted a meeting of minds(don’t we all!!) Jesus demanded a meeting of hearts.(that’s the hard one)
Even as we study scripture, we can make study substitute for faith growth. If we approach Scripture as a detective story to solve literary and historical problems, we are missing the primary purpose for studying Scripture. We read the Bible to experience divine love. We read the word, to meet the Word. Jesus was telling Nicodemus" I am not a book, I am a person" Relate to me as a person and you will find love and fulfillment. Now that is the Key to reading and understanding Scripture.

 

[NotWorthy]

I like Nicodemus too, he reminds me of myself. Nicodemus sought a theological discussion, Jesus invited him to a conversion.
Nicodemus liked teacher talk, Jesus insisted on personal committment. Nicodemus wanted a meeting of minds(don’t we all!!) Jesus demanded a meeting of hearts.(that’s the hard one)
Even as we study scripture, we can make study substitute for faith growth. If we approach Scripture as a detective story to solve literary and historical problems, we are missing the primary purpose for studying Scripture. We read the Bible to experience divine love. We read the word, to meet the Word. Jesus was telling Nicodemus" I am not a book, I am a person" Relate to me as a person and you will find love and fulfillment. Now that is the Key to reading and understanding Scripture.

And at the foot of the Cross, we find that Nicodemus “got the Message”.

 

[katy]

And Jesus didn’t snarl at him for initially coming to Jesus somewhat backward and undercover.

 

[NotWorthy]

John, chapter 3

8: The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit."

Is Jesus using a pun here on “Holy Spirit” and “Wind”, for aren’t they basically the same word in Hebrew - something like “Ruah”?

This describes that the Holy Spirit goes wherever He wills.

 

[Efrain]

Our good friend Nicodemus is a great example of the conversion of some of the Jews. Notice he approaches Jesus " by night", ostensibly for fear of the other Pharisees chastising him. But with John, you know there is a deeper meaning.

He approaches “from the darkness” because he is drawn to the Light, Jesus. Later on in John’s Gospel, we’ll see Nicodemus arguing with the Pharisees that maybe Jesus is the Messiah. Then, finally, at the foot of the Cross, our Nicodemus is there to help bury Jesus.

I like Nicodemus!

Also notice that Nicodemus had to find the Light for himself rather than relying on the studies of his fellow Pharisees. This reminds me that we shouldn’t rely on what popular culture in society dictates as true.

 

[maryj]

Also notice that Nicodemus had to find the Light for himself rather than relying on the studies of his fellow Pharisees. This reminds me that we shouldn’t rely on what popular culture in society dictates as true.

so true

 

[Efrain]

John, chapter 3
18: He who believes in him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

Clearly said by our Lord, you either believe or you don’t, there is no middle ground or room for lukewarmness when following our Saviour.

John, chapter 319: And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20: For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
21: But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God.

Here our Lord is calling us to trust in Him, to remain in His love and to abide in Him. He is the only way to the light and we must trust His everlasting mercy and forgiveness.

All joy and endurance in everything should be ours as long as we remain in Him.

 

[NotWorthy]

Clearly said by our Lord, you either believe or you don’t, there is no middle ground or room for lukewarmness when following our Saviour.

Here our Lord is calling us to trust in Him**, to remain in His love and to abide in Him**. He is the only way to the light and we must trust His everlasting mercy and forgiveness.

All joy and endurance in everything should be ours as long as we remain in Him.

Quick Pop Quiz: What are the only two times that Jesus describes us Abiding in Him in John’s Gospel?

 

[Efrain]

Quick Pop Quiz: What are the only two times that Jesus describes us Abiding in Him in John’s Gospel?

John 14:16-18 When our Lord sends us the Advocate to remain with us forever!

John 15 The parable of the vine. As long as we remain part of the vine we produce fruit. Those who do not will be withered, gathered and thrown into the fire.

 

[maryj]

So just exactly what does “Abide in Him” mean??

 

[NotWorthy]

John 14:16-18 When our Lord sends us the Advocate to remain with us forever!

yes, But it doesn’t say you will “Abide in Jesus”

John 15 The parable of the vine. As long as we remain part of the vine we produce fruit. Those who do not will be withered, gathered and thrown into the fire.

OK, you’re getting close.

In John 6, when He’s talking about the Eucharist, “He who eats My Flesh and Drinks My blood, abides in Me and I in him”.

Then, in John chapter 15, as you said. Notice, though this is at the Last Supper. Jesus is talking as though the Apostles already are “Abiding” in Jesus, now that they have received His Body and Blood at the Last Supper.

When you receive the Eucharist, Jesus abides in you and you in Him!!!

 

[NotWorthy]

So just exactly what does “Abide in Him” mean??

It also translates to “Remain in Him”.

This, of course, is the result of the indwelling of God in our Souls - A State of Sanctified Grace is another term for this.

 

[maryj]

It also translates to “Remain in Him”.

This, of course, is the result of the indwelling of God in our Souls - A State of Sanctified Grace is another term for this.

well I knew that, brain hiccup:nerd: thanks.

 

[Efrain]

When you receive the Eucharist, Jesus abides in you and you in Him!!!

The most precious gift given to us.