Joh 6:40 - 42 "For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven. They said, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, 'I have come down from heaven'?" 

Jesus had come to live in the will of Father God, just as He always existed, at One with the Father and Spirit. 
He was from the beginning the very initiator of all creation. The will of God is very clear looking on the creation as a reflection of God's handiwork, the handiwork of Yahweh- of Jesus The Son, in that view believing and receiving Him as King and Lord of the universe and of me. In Him we find life and life beyond our temporary existence on earth. He is the bread the very sustenance of life and the Jesus of Nazareth is a human being yet He has existed for eternity and has come to us here from being eternally from God. He was with God and is God.
So you can either believe in Him and what He has said and done or you can castigate a deride Him as delusional, but you cannot remain neutral towards Him. He holds your future within Himself. He has all authority over His creation. He is Absolutely Sovereign. He is Absolute Love.

This claim left the religious nonplussed. They set to deny His claim and make Him a mockery. He told them plainly; "Everyone who really has a connection to God and has listened and heard the Word of God, they will for sure come to me and believe."
"Though no one has ever seen God the Father, they have seen Him in Me"; Jesus Declared! "I Am from Him and One with Him."

Joh 6:43 - 46 "Jesus answered them, "Do not grumble among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. It is written in the Prophets, 'And they will all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me-- not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father." 

Jesus wasn't mincing words or holding back in any manner. Jesus took them back to their desire to have a leader like Moses again. He told them in no uncertain way that He was greater than Moses and He Himself provided the manna, now that He was here they could be consumed and filled with His presence if they only would believe. He was here to give grace and fulfill the commands that He personally gave to Moses on the mountain.

Joh 6:47 - 51 "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.  I am the bread of life.  Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.  I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh." 

The religious elite couldn't understand, they had no spiritual insight. They were focused on the physical and there place in this world. They had no real connection to the spiritual world. It was all rules and ritual a facade of worshiping their own abilities and positions. 

Joh 6:52  "The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" 

Jesus became even more emphatic, more graphic. They would either get or not but Jesus was going to be very clear. 
My presence here my body and the overflow of my heart must consume your desires and fulfill your needs then you or you won't live, you have no chance at truly being alive. I am the true sustenance for your life and I will quench and fulfilled your needs. If you believe Me and receive what I say, I will be one with you and the Fathers' love will engulf you with grace and forgiveness. 
I Am eternal life and just as Father God is self existent with no need in Himself, I Am self existent. I overflow with life and satisfaction to complete fulfillment to those who live in Me. If you feed yourself with Me and drink your fill in Me, you will be fully alive now and forever. 
Jesus said all of this when He was among the religious elite. In the place of worship. He was where He should have been most welcome and honored, but the didn't recognize Him or accept what He said to them. They rejected the very God who they claimed to worship in that place. 

Joh 6:53 - 59 "So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.  Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever. Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum." 

Joh 6:14, 15  "When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, "This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!""Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself." 

The people that followed Jesus up the mountain had just been fed from a few loaves and fish. When they had finished eating more than 12 baskets overflowing was left over. They began to see and understand that Jesus had great power and they wanted to take Him by force and set Him up as their ruler.
It wasn't Jesus time to reveal why He had come, He was in control and following after the Fathers leading. 

He withdrew off by Himself, the disciples were going off to go back to the village across the lake. They were in the middle of the lake when a storm came suddenly upon them. Then Jesus walked up on the water and said; "I Am here, don't be afraid." I Am the Ling of the Universe, I control the winds and the waves. They welcomed into the boat but didn't really know how He got there. It all happened so fast and they were so amazed that as soon as He was in the boat they reached shore.  

Joh 6:16 -21  "When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened.  But he said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid."  Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going." 

It was the next day and the crowd was still seeking Him, to be with Him. They were traveling by land and boats to seek after Jesus and find out where He had gone. They wanted to know when He came there and how He got there because His close followers only had one boat and they knew He hadn't left with the them. 

Jesus knew that they were only seeking after the power that they thought He could provide, they weren't really wanting to know Jesus. They wanted what they thought He would give them. They wanted to be provided for materially and physically. Jesus set them straight. 
He hadn't come to give them anything but His life and to provide them with forgiveness and newness of life.  They needed to believe and receive Him as sent from the Father and the only way to be made right to the Father. He was Yahweh, He was Absolute Love. 

Joh 6:22 - 29 "On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?" Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal." "Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." 

Wonder of wonders, they again asked Him for a sign that they could believe. They wanted Him to give bread from heaven again to verify the feeding of the feast they had received on the mountain. They wanted to see if He was as worthy of following as Moses. They wanted to know if He could do it again or it was just a one time fluke. 

Joh 6:30, 31  "So they said to him, "Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" 

Jesus became even more direct, "I am telling you a fact it wasn't Moses it was My Father God and I as His only begotten Son who gave your forefathers the bread in the wilderness. Moses only received what I gave Him He was under my command. I want you to know I Am the Bread from Heaven and if you receive from Me as here from My Father, you will forever be satisfied, I Am the provider of all things including sustaining your bodies." You have clearly seen Me and My identity as Yahweh, but you do not believe." They kept asking Him to give them the bread because they didn't get it they were spiritually blinded. 

Joh 6:32 - 36 "Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.  For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always." Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe." 

Jesus told them very bluntly. My Father has given Me some who will hear and believe, they believe because of God's calling and choice. There is no way that those who God has placed His hand upon will not come to me in belief. This is as sure as the Word of God. 
I was sent by the Father, and I will accomplish everything as The Father and I have determined. This is the Will of God and I am able to complete His will. So everyone who sees Me as God's Son and believes in Me, they will be given abundant eternal life and I will raise them up from their graves on the last day to be with Me and My Father. 

Joh 6:37 - 40 "All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." 

This wasn't making the religious people happy, they began to grumble and take sides against Jesus because He claimed to be the sustenance of God Himself. He would fill them up with God, Huh! They thought they already had an in with God because of their religious practice. They said; "This Jesus is just a man, nothing special that we should listen to Him or believe the crazy things He is saying. He is Joseph and Mary's little boy. How can He now make this claim to have come from heaven."  

Joh 6:41, 42  "So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." They said, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, 'I have come down from heaven'?" 

Joh 5:41 - 47 "I do not receive glory from people. But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?"

Jesus didn't need their praise or approval. He was only concerned with truth, His Father's will and the welfare of the people. He knew the Pharisees and religious leaders did not love God or the people, they only loved their position of authority. The truth was that Jesus didn't need to accuse the Pharisaical hypocrites they were exposed by the very law of Moses even as they claimed to be the keepers of the Law of Moses. Jesus was the perfect example and fulfillment of what Moses pointed to in the Law.

Jesus became very popular with the people, He spoke with authority, truth and love. He backed down the religious elite and He backed up His authority with miracles, signs and wonders. They followed after Him where ever He went. More and more people were following after Him. So Jesus got off by Himself across the other side of the lake, yet they followed after Him. He healed those who were sick having love and compassion and everyone following Him realized they needed healing, salvation from their own sickness of unbelief. 
So Jesus and His closest followers climb up the mountain to get away by themselves.

Joh 6:1 -3 "After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias.  And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples.

Now it was about time to celebrate the Passover and have a great feast. Jesus looked around and a large crowd had climbed up the mountain to be with Him. Their faith was empowering and inspiring. So Jesus asked His close followers; "How are we going to feed all these people?" He was wanting to see their reaction and measure the vision of their faith. Philip answered; "We don't have the resources to feed this crowd." 

Joh 6:4 - 7  "Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?"  He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.  Philip answered him, "Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little."

Simon Peter spoke up; "we have a boy here with five loaves of bread and a couple of fresh fish,"

Joh 6:8, 9  "One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?"

So Jesus was like a great director, preparing the stage for the affect He wanted to have on the disciples. He wanted them to realize they had all the resources they needed, the Ruler of all life was here with them. So they commanded everyone to sit down and Jesus broke the pieces of bread and fish into pieces, He gave thanks to the Father and had them distributed. Everyone ate all they could and after they were all finished eating Jesus had the left overs gathered back up in the baskets. Each of the twelve had their baskets filled with the left overs. 

Joh 6:10 - 13  "Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, "Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost." So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten."

When the people realized what had happened, how Jesus multiplied the food so that there was more than enough, they began talking about who Jesus must be. They all knew He was the Prophet who they had expected, the promised Messiah. 
Jesus knew they wanted to force Him to set Himself up as King, so Jesus withdrew by Himself again. He was in control, He had come for a purpose, He would accomplish the will of the Father. He was Absolute Love. 

Joh 6:14, 15  "When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, "This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!"  Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself."

Joh 5:24-27 "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. "Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man."

The religious elite rulers over the people wanted to know; exactly who Jesus thought He was, why He was defying them and their rules. Jesus response was unmistakably emphatic and clear. I want you to know without a doubt that listening to me, hearing what I say and believing my words brings people eternal life. They will not be condemned, but they upon my word pass from being dead to full life. In fact here is what will happen. I will speak to the dead and they will spring to life. 
My Father, God is self existent, the fountain of life and I am His Son existing from the beginning eternally alive and self existent. I have the authority to judge and forgive, to grant life, because I am The Son of Man. I Am Yahweh. I am Yeshua Messiah. 
Don't sit there with your mouths open amazed that I would talk like this. I want to repeat this in a way you will not have any misunderstanding. I will at a time to come speak and all those who are dead all will hear my voice calling them, they will come out of their tombs and live. Some will be raised up to judgment and eternal punishment and some who have done good will be raised to new abundant life. For I have the same authority to forgive and condemn as my Father, God. 

Joh 5:28 - 29 "Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment."

I can't do this on my own for I always act in tandem with he Father and The Holy Spirit. As I  listen and am empowered in our relationship I act justly in judgment, because I am not acting out of my own desire but out of the desire of my Father. 

Joh 5:30  "I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me."

It is not my witness that verifies what I say, but the Spirit of God testifies to my words and actions. I know His testimony is true.

Joh 5:31 - 32 "If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not deemed true. There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true."

The Father sent John the Baptist by the Spirit to prepare people for my coming, not that the witness to who I Am has come by man. I am talking this way so that you might be saved. John was a lamp burning a path to me and you were willing to celebrate his message. 

Joh 5:33 - 35 "You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth.  Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light."

The one who testifies to who I Am is greater than John. He will demonstrate signs and wonders worked out by Me, they will leave no doubt that I am direct from My Father, God. 

Joh 5:36 " But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me."

The Father, Himself He sent me and testified to My relationship. You have never really heard or seen who The Father is and you do not have His word living in your heart, for if you did you would believe in Me. You search through the Scriptures to try to attain eternal life, yet you don't understand the Scriptures at all, for their testimony from beginning to end is about Me. If you believed and came to me you would find the eternal life you search for. 

Joh 5:37 - 40  "And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent.You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life."

My glory does not come from people worshiping, We don't meed that. Our Glory comes from the love that flows from us and within us. My relationship fully within Father, Son and Spirit is the only thing that matters. I know you don't share in our love. You don't receive me, yet if someone among you comes out with their own name that they have made for themselves you receive him.How can it be you accept the honor given among you one to another, yet you don't seek to have glory only given by God. I don't need to bring accusation against you, but Moses and the commandments they accuse and condemn you, for you set your hope on them and not on the One who they were to point you to, I Am He. I Am Yahweh.  

Joh 5:41 - 45  "I do not receive glory from people.  But I know that you do not have the love of God within you.  I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?   Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. "

Joh 4:48 - 5:1 "So Jesus said to him, "Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe." The official said to him, "Sir, come down before my child dies."Jesus said to him, "Go; your son will live." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.  As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering.  So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him." The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live." And he himself believed, and all his household. This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee."After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

 Jesus knew the hearts of men, the sin of unbelief was dominant. He healed with just a thought, what He determined to happen was what happened. The beginning of believing is asking. God is Absolute Love. 

Jesus loved to celebrate He had come to heal and to save. As He went to a big religious celebration Jesus was walking in an area where many invalid people came to be healed. For there were times when the water was stirred by a messenger from Yahweh those who went into the water were healed. (But Yahweh was right there, passing by the pool. 
Jesus recognized a man who had been coming there for thirty eight years. He was there a long time but never really made enough effort to get to the pool. 
Jesus questioned; " Do you really want healing from your handicap or is it a crutch you will not let go of, aren't you actually wanting to remain dependent? 


Joh 5:2 - 6 "Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids--blind, lame, and paralyzed [waiting for the moving of the water;] [for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and stirred the water: whoever stepped in first after the stirring of the water was healed of whatever disease he had.]  One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?" 

The invalid said; " I don't have anyone to put me into the water and everyone else pushes me out of the way. No one wants to help me.

Joh 5:7  "The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me." 

Jesus told the invalid, "Pick yourself up and your bed, I have given you the ability to walk." At once the man obeyed and walked away. It was the Lord's Day, a day of rest given to communion wit God. 

Joh 5:8, 9  "Jesus said to him, "Get up, take up your bed, and walk."And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath." 

The religious, who made up all kinds of rules, regulations and rituals that must be followed, wanted to know why the man was carrying his sleeping mat around on the day of rest. They had made up all kinds of laws that didn't reflect the heart of God or the purpose of the commandments. 
The man said he was told by a Rabbi to pick up the bed. 
They demanded to know; "Who was it? We will straighten Him out."

Joh 5:10 - 12 "So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, "It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed." But he answered them, "The man who healed me, that man said to me, 'Take up your bed, and walk.'" They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, 'Take up your bed and walk'?" 

The former invalid wasn't sure about the Rabbi's name and Jesus had withdrawn from the crowds. Later Jesus saw the man who had been laying by the pool and He affirmed the man for obedience. He said; "Only don't stop believing, there is something much worse than not being able to walk."

Joh 5:13, 14  "Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, "See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you." 

When the man who had been healed left, he told the Jews that the Rabbi who healed him was Jesus of Nazareth." So the Jews went after Jesus, taunting and persecuting Him publicly because He wasn't keeping their rules. 

Joh 5:15, 16  "The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath." 

Jesus clearly told them; "God is not at rest as you interpret it, He is actively working to bring light and life, grace and peace to His children." "I am working with Him for I am His only begotten Son, one with Father God." I Am Yahweh.

Joh 5:17  "But Jesus answered them, "My Father is working until now, and I am working." 

So these religious bigots needed to get Jesus out of the way. They wanted Him dead. They were willing to throw a clear commandment of God away to keep their stranglehold on personal authority. They recognized clearly that Jesus was not only defying their rules He was also claim to have greater authority. He was claiming to be one with God. 

Joh 5:18  "This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God." 

So Jesus explained it to them. He told them that He only did the very things God told Him to do. He and God did only exactly the same things they were in complete unity with one another, He and God the Father. Furthermore Father God loved Him and God showed Jesus all the things that He was doing. They will continue to do greater and greater things and they will see for themselves that Jesus has the power and authority of God. 
Jesus has authority over life and death and they will see Him raise people from the dead and He will be raised from death to life. 
Jesus has authority of judgment and all will see that they must come to Him, giving Him honor in order to be saved from judgment. Those who stand against Him or will not honor Him, they in turn don't honor Father God. For He is Yahweh. He is Absolute in power in Absolute Love.

Joh 5:19 - 23  "So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel.  For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him." 

"Because God’s new world is free from every stain or hint of sin, it’s hard to imagine how we could enjoy heaven without holiness. As J. C. Ryle reminds us, heaven is a holy place. The Lord of heaven is a holy God. The angels are holy creatures. The inhabitants are holy saints. Holiness is written on everything in heaven. And nothing unholy can enter into this heaven (Rev. 21:27; Heb. 12:14). Even if you could enter heaven without holiness, what would you do? What joy would you feel there? What holy man or woman of God would you sit down with for fellowship? Their pleasures are not your pleasures. Their character is not your character. What they love, you do not love. If you dislike a holy God now, why would you want to be with him forever? If worship does not capture your attention at present, what makes you think it will thrill you in some heavenly future? If ungodliness is your delight here on earth, what will please you in heaven, where all is clean and pure? You would not be happy there if you are not holy here.6 Or as Spurgeon put it, “Sooner could a fish live upon a tree than the wicked in Paradise.”7"

DeYoung, Kevin (2012-08-07). The Hole in Our Holiness: Filling the Gap between Gospel Passion and the Pursuit of Godliness (Kindle Locations 171-180). Good News Publishers. Kindle Edition.

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"Since the call is infallibly effective because of God’s sovereign power, Paul is able to say, “Whom he called he also justified.” All the called are justified, because all the called have faith, because the call creates the faith.1 TO WHOM IS THE PROMISE OF ROMANS 8:28 MADE? Here we come to the center of the foundation of Romans 8:28. Notice that Romans 8:28 is not true for everybody. The verse says “that God causes all things to work together for good… to those who are called.” The beneficiaries of this promise are people who are not left to their own resources to get qualified for the promise. They are people whom God calls. And we have just seen that this call is no mere invitation that might fail, but an infallibly effective work of faith-begetting creation. Here’s the center of the foundation of Romans 8:28. Those who are called by God can be sure that God will work all things together for their good because their calling guarantees their justification; and their justification, in turn, guarantees their glorification; and glorification is the ultimate fulfillment of Romans 8:28—endless ages of seeing God make everything in the universe serve our holy joy in him. WHO RECEIVES THIS FAITH-CREATING CALL? But Paul is not content to stop with these two pillars in the foundation of Romans 8:28. He pushes on back to ask, “What is this calling of God founded on?” Or, “Who are the ones who experience this sovereign call of God?” And he answers: “Whom [God] predestined, these He also called.” That’s foundational pillar number three. God’s act of calling is based on his act of predestining. This is just another way of saying what Romans 8:28 says in the words, “called according to His purpose.” “God causes all things to work together for the good of those…who are called according to his purpose.” “According to [God’s] purpose” means “according to the goal of God’s predestination.” In other words, God did not call us without a specific aim or purpose in mind. He had a “destiny” in mind for us and he called us “according to [that] purpose.” Those whom he thus predestined, he called. And the “purpose” or “destiny” is spelled out plainly in Romans 8:29. “He also predestined predestined [us] to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” So the foundation of our calling is the purpose of God to have a people who will be morally and spiritually like Jesus, and will exalt him as supreme. Our calling is as sure as God’s ultimate purpose to glorify his Son. When we add pillar number three to the foundation under the promise of Romans 8:28 it looks like this: Since our final glorification is the ultimate fulfillment of Romans 8:28, we can be utterly sure it will happen, because our glorification is guaranteed by our justification, and our justification is guaranteed by our calling, and our calling is as solid and sure as the predestination of God—that is, the eternal purpose of God to make us like his Son and to exalt his Son as Supreme—to the praise of his glory. “He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ…to the praise of the glory of His grace” (Ephesians 1:5-6). Pillar after pillar of past grace gives unshakable grounding to the future grace of Romans 8:28."

Piper, John (2009-10-21). Future Grace (Kindle Locations 1972-2001). Random House, Inc.. Kindle Edition.

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Joh 4:43 - 47  "After the two days he departed for Galilee.  (For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown.) So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast. For they too had gone to the feast.  So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death."

Jesus went back to the area where He had grown up as a child. He was welcomed warmly as a home town boy who had made a good showing of himself. They had seen him do an amazing thing at the wedding feast and knew he had challenged the Pharisees in Jerusalem.
He was on His way to see the people who had gotten married and a man who heard Jesus was on the way came to Jesus. His son was sick and at the point of dying. He wanted Jesus to come and heal his son.
Jesus, thought you know if you believed in God's loving touch you would go directly in prayer asking that God's will would be done, yet you seek a sign from me in order to believe in God's love.

Joh 4:48  "So Jesus said to him, "Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe."

The man insisted; "come and heal my son or he will die"!

Jesus spoke so authoritatively that the man believed what He said. Jesus said; "Go on your way, your son will live".
The man hear on the way that his son was getting well. It was at he very time that Jesus said; your son will live.", the fever left him.
The man finally believed that God was good, and that Jesus was who He claimed to be. He was Yahweh, Isa Al Masih, Yeshua Messiah. He was Absolute Love. Everyone in his family believed in Jesus also.

Joh 4:49 - 53 "The official said to him, "Sir, come down before my child dies."  Jesus said to him, "Go; your son will live." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.  As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him." The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live." And he himself believed, and all his household."

This was the second time Jesus demonstrated His Absolute Authority and Absolute Love in His own neighborhood.

Joh 4:54  "This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee."

Joh 4:24  "God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." 

God is Spirit and worship towards God is about spiritual renewal and connection, connecting soul and spirit with the Spirit of God. He is Absolute Love.

This is what the woman believed and was searching for, a depth of spiritual connection and true, pure love. Not being used or abused but with a true faith and hope in one who really love her from their heart not from what she could give.

Joh 4:25  "The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things." 

Jesus was what she had been waiting for, He loved her without strings. It didn't matter that she was lost, not pure in race or perfect as a person. He loved out of His own heart, character and Spirit. She could sense it too, and He said; I Am, He. I AM the Messiah. I Am Yahweh.
The disciples came back and they were amazed at the truly loving interaction. They didn't speak a word about to either Jesus or he woman. 

Joh 4:26 - 27 "Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am he."  Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, "What do you seek?" or, "Why are you talking with her?" 

It is amazing after seeking water she left her water jar there. "She had found something much more satisfying and rewarding- the very presence of the loving God. He had captured her hearts attention and affection. 
She was just like a young girl finding a most precious gift and wanting to share the find with all. 
She said to everyone as she went to the town; "You've got to come and see, He knows all about everything. I believe He is the promised Messiah."
They came out to see for themselves what she was so excited about. 

Joh 4:28 -30  "So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people,  "Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?" They went out of the town and were coming to him." 

Jesus was filled and fulfilled also. He gained strength and found sustenance in sharing Himself with others, in opening up the love that came from the relationship He shared with The Father, God. It overflowed into and through Him by the Holy Spirit. This is God's Character love overlowing abounding in mercy, grace and lovingkindness.
The disciples now needed to prepare for harvesting what God had caused to grow. 

Joh 4:31 -38  "Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, "Rabbi, eat."  But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know about." So the disciples said to one another, "Has anyone brought him something to eat?" Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor." 

So the people of Samaria were coming out learning and seeing Jesus and there was a great harvest of belief. They loved the presence of Jesus among them. For He loved and accepted them.
When He left He began to travel to the area of His childhood home and He knew there they would not believe or accept that He was the Messiah. He was the little son of the carpenter Joseph. The Samaritans saw Him as a savior to the world, the people of Galilee would only see Him as that little boy growing up in the region. 

Joh 4:39 -43  "Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me all that I ever did." So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days.  And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world." After the two days he departed for Galilee." 

Joh 4:1 -27  "Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John  (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), he left Judea and departed again for Galilee." 

The religious elite were starting to get their pride hurt, they were worried. Those who made themselves as the authority over what to believe and not believe, heard about Jesus surpassing John in the people hearing of the message of repentance and new direction by being baptized, were losing their grip on the people. They despised Jesus, though Jesus wasn't baptizing people, His followers took up the ministry of baptism. 
He knew what the religious leaders would do because they felt threatened in their authority. They had been teaching that the way to God was through obeying the rules they had set up. They knew this was the way to stay in control. They wanted to play God and there was no room for Jesus to be God.

Jesus wanted to complete His mission in The Fathers timing, so he left Judea to go to Samaria. The self-righteous religious leaders wouldn't be caught dead there. 

Jesus rested by Jacob's well as His closest followers went in to town to get some food. Jesus saw a woman there who came to draw water. Jesus said " Will you give me a drink of water. 
The woman was stunned first Jewish Rabbis don't even come to the region they travel around outside of Samaria. Then they certainly don't interact with Samaritans and speak openly with a woman. 

She thought, "How is this man different!"

Joh 4:4 - 9  "And he had to pass through Samaria.  So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink."  (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.)  The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?" (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) " 

Jesus answered, "You don't even accept gifts from God given freely, for if you knew what I could give and who "I Am"; you would ask for the water that brings eternal life, from me."  
"Are you kidding me," the woman said. "You don't have a way to get water and you are not greater than Jacob who provided this well. He was a direct descendant of Abraham."
"Why yes, I am greater"; Jesus went on. I gave life to Jacob and Abraham and they followed my leading. They were able to give water to the people, but this water, people drink and get thirsty again. I am talking about providing an eternal satisfaction, something that completely fulfills your needs. The gift I provide will be an eternal internal spring of life." 

Te woman said, "That is what I really want to have, I don't want to have to come out here anymore by myself."

Joh 4:10 - 15 "Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." The woman said to him, "Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water?  Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock." Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again,  but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water." 

Jesus told her to to bring her husband. He wanted her to know that He wasn't talking about escaping life and its problems. It was about new love being poured out in her heart in order to renew and redeem relational health. Her relational interactions were all a mess and they caused her to have to hide and sneak about in order to avoid relational interactions. 

Joh 4:16 - 18 "Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here."  The woman answered him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, 'I have no husband';  for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true." 

The woman said; "I can tell you have Spiritual perception that goes beyond mere human understanding. You are talking about being in right relationship with God. You are talking about the way to give God proper honor and be in relationship in a way that honors God." She said; " I know that we believe the proper place of worship is here on the mountain, but your religion says you must be in Jerusalem to give God proper respect and honor."
Jesus said; " It's not the place or the ritual that makes your approach o God acceptable, it is your inner spirit and the truth in your heart. The way you live in truth and love is first and foremost in God's judgment." 

Joh 4:19 -24 "The woman said to him, "Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.  Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship." Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.  But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." 

The woman revealed her hearts desire; " I know the one sent from God, our savior and king He is coming. When He comes He will reveal the truth to all us and we will be reconciled in everything." 
Jesus said; "I AM" I speak as the very Word of God to you. I am Yahweh. I am Absolute Love. I am the healer of relationships. 

Joh 4:25, 26  "The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things."  Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am he." 

Joh 3:19 -21 "And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.  But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God." 

Jesus wanted Nicodemus to know that; if He really wanted to learn from Him and follow after God, he couldn't sneak around in the dark. No one who is ashamed of their own actions and ashamed to openly follow Jesus would ever be accepted. They keep hidden and justify God for His condemnation of them, because they have chosen to act wickedly. The real evil in any form either self-righteousness or open rebellion is a failure to believe in God. He is Absolute Love, you don't run and hide from love, unless you don't believe!

So Jesus went about His work of calling people to repentance, faith and baptism into a new walk with God. Renewal-Rebirth!

John's disciples started to talk and murmur. They said to John, who was also baptizing and calling people to repentance; "look at all the people going over to Jesus." They felt intimidated and their pride was being hurt. 

Joh 3:22 -26 "After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized (for John had not yet been put in prison). Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. And they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness--look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him." 

John said, "this coming back to God thing, repentance, faith and new life, it is not a human contest." We are not vying for points in heaven, I am no Messiah or a savior. I am only like a friend of the one who is getting married. I rejoice at seeing and hearing the groom coming, because I know the celebration of marriage is about to start. I am so happy He has come. The wedding party now steps to the front. 
This Jesus is from heaven, come from above. I only speak in a way of hearing and believing about God and heavenly things. Jesus talks about what He knows and has seen. He has been there, He dwells with the Most High God. He is an eye witness, for He is Yahweh. Yet no one receives His eyewitness account. 
If anyone does receive and accept the truth of His testimony, this person sets His seal on the truth of God!

Joh 3:27 - 33  "John answered, "A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.' The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.  He must increase, but I must decrease."  He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true." 

This is the truth, Jesus speaks the very words of Almighty God. For the Spirit of God fows through and is poured out through Him. The Father has given put all things under The Sons' authority. Jesus is God's only begotten Son and He has authority to give eternal life to those who believe in Him. If you won't follow after Jesus and obey Him, you won't even see life. God's anger and wrath will leave you in your sin and you will continue on the path to eternal separation from the life giving Spirit of God. 

Joh 3:34 -36 "For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." 

Joh 3:1 - 2 "Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.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." 

A person that was part of a super religious super judgmental religious order, a person who set themselves up as being over the spiritual welfare of others who worship God- came to Jesus at night. His name was Nicodemus, He came by cover of night. He did not want to be discovered or found out. 
Yet, Nicodemus had respect for what Jesus was doing and was curious about the signs and wonders Jesus was performing. Nicodemus wanted to know; "Teacher, we know you are from God, otherwise you couldn't be doing these things.

Jesus redirected the conversation. Nicodemus, "You cannot recognize and understand what you are seeing about God's Kingdom come, without being born anew. 

Joh 3:3  "Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." 

Nicodemus then quickly moves from the spiritual to the natural. Religion is about following man made rules not about spiritual life. He says: "It is impossible to be born anew and it cannot be that a man can be born anew when he is old."

Joh 3:4  "Nicodemus 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?" 

You know what I am talking about, Nicodemus. My emphasis is on the change of repentance and renewal from the Holy Spirit. It is not about the natural or what human beings can do, it is about the change in a persons heart that the Spirit of God makes. You shouldn't be wondering with amazement that I say you must be born anew. The Spirit of God is able to go where He wills, just like the wind. You can't harness or control the wind and you sure can't harness or control The Holy Spirit.

Joh 3:5 - 8 "Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." 

"How can this be true", Nicodemus thought out loud! All of our rituals and rules we believe cause God to have favor on us. 

Joh 3:9  "Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" 

Jesus said; "You have studied and taught the Law of God, leading the people that belong to God, and you don't really understand that you cannot win the favor of God by keeping rules. Obedience is born out of a relationship of love and care, not a feigned duty that leads to despising the very acts of rule following.

Joh 3:10  "Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?" 

I have only been talking about what everyone knows and sees, but you haven't received what I have said. I am talking about earthly everyday discernment and you don't get it or accept it. How can I move into things about who I am, my coming from heaven. You cannot fathom that I am from God as His Son and I must be held up as a redemption pole just as Moses held the serpent up in the wilderness. I will grant forgiveness and eternal life through my death and those who believe will be healed. 
I Am Absolute Love. For I Am Yahweh, and I loved the world I created. My Father, God gave Me, His only begotten Son as a sacrifice to look upon. We did this in order that if you would believe you would not perish like those in the wilderness, but live eternally. This pole was but a foreshadowing of my coming.

Joh 3:11 -16 "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. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?  No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." 

God didn't send me off to condemn this world, but to save anyone who believes. Unbelief is self-condemning, you simply choose to not believe in my character of loving forgiveness, and my authority to grant life to those who believe I am God's one and only Son.

Joh 3:17 -18  "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." 

This is the dividing line between light and dark, those who stay in the dark hate the light. The light is brightly shining, but those who continue to stand off, those who won't come to the light, show that they have clearly chosen darkness. They don't want to have it known that they work out of evil, unloving and uncaring desires. There obedience is to lift themselves up before God and other people, not to lift up the glory of God's grace and love through their obedience.

Joh 3:19 - 20 "And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed." 

If you want to be known as being open and truthful, clearly showing off God's presence in your obedience then come on out and be welcomed into the warmth of an open relationship with God. He is Absolute Love. 

Joh 3:21  "But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God." 

"What if we were to realize that every sunset viewed, every sexual intimacy enjoyed, every favorite food savored, every song sung or listened to, every home decorated, and every rich moment enjoyed in this life isn’t ultimately about itself but is an expression and reflection of God’s essential character? Wouldn’t such beautiful and desirable reflections mean that their Source must be even more beautiful—and, ultimately, most desirable? Beyond sensory beauty, we are instinctively drawn to virtuous beauty in the form of love, kindness, courage, mercy, and the like. These qualities are embodied by our heroes and heroines—Abraham Lincoln, Mother Teresa, fathers, mothers, mentors, and friends. Might these beautiful people not whisper of an Ultimate Lover? Of a perfectly Faithful Friend? Think about it. You may want that car, spouse, vacation, house, body, toy, meal, or position. But could it be that what you really want is God? Consider the latest moment of wonder you experienced. At least for a moment, it created a sense of awe in that mysterious and soulful place within you. Wonder moments are both thrilling and humbling, yet we crave them all the more. This book flows from a conviction that we have largely missed God in our experience of beauty. That day as I experienced my surprise concert at Midway Airport, I listened through a wall. We are all standing outside a wall. We enjoy the divine music of beauty, but our enjoyment often stops there. The greatest wonder is not the music itself but the Musician, not the creation but the Creator. He is beautiful. As Richard Harries puts it, “The fact is that God is beautiful and the Church is hiding this.”4 

Splendor and majesty are before Him, strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. – Psalm 96:6 (NASB)"




DeWitt, Steve (2012-03-01). Eyes Wide Open (pp. 8-9). Credo House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

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"We can’t help ourselves. We were made to crave. The absence of satisfaction the world over begs the question Why? What or whom are we seeking? The Craved When people think of God, they often consider His power or holiness or love or mercy. But how many people think of God as intrinsically beautiful? Yet it is God who created beauty. He is the Beauty behind every beauty. I am a pastor. I spend my life trying to persuade people that God alone is worthy of their love, dreams, passions—essentially their lives. I often find this to be a tough sell. The primary reason is that for fallen humanity God’s desirability is in competition with His created beauties. Created beauty eclipses God’s beauty in the desire factory of man’s heart. It is a case of mistaken identity. Every created beauty was created by God to lead our affections to Him. That’s why He made the pleasures of earthly beauty so fleeting—so that on the other side of the pleasure we might experience either wonder and worship and ultimate satisfaction in God or the pursuit of the pleasure that beauty provides for its own sake. If we choose the latter, we will only be disappointed again. The ancient church theologian Augustine, a man well acquainted with the fleeting pleasures of sin prior to his conversion to Christ, observed, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” Pascal wrote, “The world everywhere gives evidence of a vanished God, and man in all his actions gives evidence of a longing for that God.”3 Beauty Fulfilled I sometimes wonder how it is possible that our culture and society could have missed this truth on such a massive scale. When every popular beauty and pleasure in our culture shouts that God is beautiful, how can so many millions of people completely miss the point? How can they not hear? How can they look and listen and touch and taste and not get it?"

DeWitt, Steve (2012-03-01). Eyes Wide Open (pp. 7-8). Credo House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

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Joh 2:11-13  This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him. After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days. The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem." 

Jesus began demonstrating His power and glory. His glory as the only begotten of the Father-"full of grace and truth". He was fully man. Born of woman. He had brothers and sisters born through His mother Mary. Mary was a normal human female. Yet Jesus was fully God- "very God of very God".  His mission was to be accomplished within the miracle of Passover, in Jerusalem. He focused His path there.

Where else would He go but to the place where people were to learn about God. The Temple and the sacrificial system were to point the people to their need for Him to come. Their need to be made right with The Father. 

It angered Him greatly to see them using the temple to advance greed and promote evil against one another. The focus was on earthly gain not on coming into the presence of God. He would demonstrate forcefully the disdain and wrath of God. 
He would be hated by men for interfering in their lives. This is the view of evil and sin, God is an interference. They want Him to leave them alone. Everyone will get what they ask for from God! 

Joh 2:14 - 17  "In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, "Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade." His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for your house will consume me." 

So they say; "what will tell us that you have the authority to interfere"? 

Jesus referred them to the sign. He was the Temple replacement. He was the way to God, the way to find forgiveness and peace. His life, death and resurrection would be the sign they would see and have to come to grips with. 
He would be the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. He was The Word of God! He was Yahweh. 

Joh 2:18 - 22  "So the Jews said to him, "What sign do you show us for doing these things?" Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews then said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?"  But he was speaking about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken." 


Luk 11:29 -36  "When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, "This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.  For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.  The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.  The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.  "No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light." 

He was showing lots of signs of His deity, power and glory. He was almighty God. He was Absolute Love. He demonstrated Love is not haughty or proud. Love is humble and gentle, but powerful and controlled. Many believed it was clear to see if you wanted to see. 
Yet, Absolute Love knows to only entrust itself to purity and the object of eternal loyal love. Jesus would not entrust Himself to anyone but His Father, God!
He is the creator of all men's hearts and knows they only are trustworthy through His gift of "New Birth". 

Joh 2:23 - 3:1 "Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing.  But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.  Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 

Joh 2:1-2  "On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples." 

It was very soon after Jesus gathered us together as His followers and Jesus was celebrating at a wedding. Jesus mother, Mary, was there. Jesus had been invited and His student learners were there also.

The parents of the bride and groom had run out of wine. Mary had been storing up memories of Jesus and His special relationship to God. She made a point to mention in a expectant voice; "They have no more wine."


Luk 2:7 - 19 "And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.  And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.  And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,  "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart."

 Luk 2:41 - 51 "Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances,  and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress." And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"  And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart." 

Joh 2:3  "When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." 

Mary accepted and respected Jesus authority, even if she did not fully understand. Jesus was on a mission, He had come with a purpose in mind. He would not be deterred. Jesus was fully in control and Mary submitted to Him in believing He was specially connected to God.

Joh 2:4, 5  "And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." 

Jesus changed water into wine that was more desirable and satisfying than the best wine served. All of those who witnessed this were astounded, even the servants at the wedding. 

Joh 2:6 -10 "Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast." So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now." 

This was the first of the signs pointing to His glory as creator God. It deepened the faith of His followers. The conviction they had in Jesus coming as the Messiah was solidified in their minds.

Joh 2:11  "This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him." 

Jesus started His path toward His ultimate mission being accomplished at the time of the Passover. It would be completed during the Passover also, for He had authority over forgiveness and death; judgement and the giving of life. His mission would begin and be fulfilled surrounding the Passover celebration in Jerusalem. 

Joh 2:12  "After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days. The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem." 

Joh 1:32 - 36 "And John bore witness: "I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God." The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" 

John bore witness to the reality of Jesus' deity. Jesus was recognized as the Messiah, one sent from God, one who was God. He was Yahweh, He gives the Holy Spirit for the Holy Spirit proceeds from Him and The Father. He was the sent Lamb of God, the only one who could take away sin. 

John's disciples saw and heard and they began to follow Jesus. Their hearts were prepared they knew of their need for repentance. They wanted to be near Jesus, to be with Him. They also recognized the glory of Jesus and they told their friends and relatives of who they had come to know. One of them Andrew was the brother of Simon. Jesus gave Simon a new name Peter, the "rock" was what Jesus named him. 

Joh 1:37 -42  "The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, "What are you seeking?" And they said to him, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?"  He said to them, "Come and you will see." So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means Christ).  He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas" (which means Peter)." 

Jesus went into Galilee, region where He grew up as a boy. He found Phillip and called Him to be part of His learners group as a Rabbi. Philip told his freinds and neighbors that he had met and wanted to follow Jesus. He knew Jesus to be the promised one from Moses, the sacrificial Lamb of the Law and the revelation of what the Prophets too Israel had talked about. This man, Jesus, whose adoptive father was Joseph of Nazareth. He was more than a man, He was the fulfillment that all men are looking for as a redeemer to save them from sin. 

Joh 1:43 - 45 "The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me."  Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." 

Philip told Nathanael and Nathanael couldn't believe that someone from Nazareth could have that kind of influence and power. Jesus told Natanael where and exactly when he located him. Jesus Natanael then knew was no ordinary man, Jesus was God's only begotten Son, the true King of Israel. The Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Jesus the mman was the ruler of the universe come as a man. 
Jesus promised you will see a lot of great things, greater than being able to see you even when you are not with me. 

Joh 1:46 -50  "Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!"  Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."  Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, 'I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these." 

Jesus said you will see heaven opened. I have power over heaven and earth. The angels are at my command. They minister to me and are my messengers. They come and leave at my command. 

Joh 1:51  "And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." 

Joh 1:14-18 "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'") And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace." For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known." 

The creating Word of God, His active presence has become flesh and blood, the man Jesus of Nazareth. He is the very glory of God, God of very God. He proceeds from the Father as His only offspring, God's only begotten Son. Begotten not created. He is the one who fulfills and fills all with the grace of God. His grace is completely mingled with the purity of truth. He is the one who gives the Law of Moses and supersedes the law of men. No one has seen God but He is the exact representation, incarnation Of God, making God's character known in the world.

John is the character witness. The religious elite and those who were suppose to be priest to God, had no answers though they were suppose to be the ones who interceded for the people on behalf of God. John a voice crying for repentance had to point them to their savior Jesus of Nazareth, though they could not see it for themselves. Even after John told them the truth they continued to question. They wanted answers to please men, they were not really seeking after the truth. 

John was baptizing for preparation, for those who would repent and believe. The promised one, Yahweh Himself in the flesh was coming, even John was not worthy but Jesus would come and give grace, provide sacrifice and deliver those who would repent and follow Him. 

All in Bethany, this historically has taken place. as John the baptizer witnessed. 

Joh 1:19 - 28 "And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ."  And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No." So they said to him, "Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"  He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said." (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) They asked him, "Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"  John answered them, "I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know,  even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie." These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing." 

After the religious came and went. Jesus came and John recognized Him as the "Lamb of God". This was the one who would be the atoning sacrifice for the sin of Adam. The sin of mankind. Unbelief, lack of faith, not seeing the worth of God as their life and fulfillment. 

Joh 1:29  "The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" 

This Jesus from Nazareth was born of a woman after John, but He came before John. Before all things. He is the beginning, before all of creation. He is lowly and humble among men, but He is highly exalted and above all things that exist. 

Joh 1:30  "This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.'" 

John, had been born Jesus' earthly cousin, grown up with Jesus, knowing Him. John though had not known. John saw Jesus with the Holy Spirit descending on Him, residing upon Him. He knew that Jesus' baptism was a baptism not of water but of pouring out the Holy Spirit upon people. 

God had sent John personally to prepare the way for Jesus coming and He was shown to recognize this sign of the Holy Spirit descending and remaining. This was to be the sent one, the Messiah.

Joh 1:31-33 "I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel." And John bore witness: "I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him."  I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'" 

He saw and is witness as a man, this is The Son of God. 

Joh 1:34  "And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God." 

John declared to his own followers; this Jesus of Nazareth, He is The Lamb of God!. He is Jesus Christ, Yeshua Messiah, Isa Al Masih. I want you to make no mistake of Jesus identity, He is Yahweh. He is The Absolute Love. 

Joh 1:35, 36  "The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!"