Jesus in the Storm

In the Gospel accounts we can read of the  miracle of our Lord Jesus, Who  we see, in the midst of a raging storm walking on the water, but this is not just for the Disciples who were there 2000 years ago but for all believers through out the ages.

Just after the feeding of the 5000, we read "Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd." Matthew:14:22.

So Jesus sends His disciples out on to the Sea of Galilee. Now the Galilee sat in a creator like depression , and was subject to sudden and rather violent  storms. The Disciples were undoubtedly familiar with these sudden storms ,having spent their life in and around the sea.They set out late as darkness drew on as they rowed their way into the dark night a storm blew up. They were already too far along to turn back, their only choice was to go forward and face the raging sea.and the winds that blew hard against them.

"but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it."  Matthew:14:24

He Sent Them

Yet even as the disciples strained as they  rowed , Jesus' eyes was on them, there in the darkness and the buffeting waves and turbulent waters they were never beyond Jesus' view.

"When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them" Mark:6:47-48

The disciples, try as they might could make no progress in moving forward, even late into the night. It is here after a long time of struggling there in the darkness that Jesus comes out to them

Comes to Them

Matthew:14:25- "At the fourth watch Jesus came out to them walking on the water" - but even as Jesus comes into the midst of their situation they do not recognize that it is He.At first they interpret His presence in their situation  as something evil- in verse 26)- "when the disciples saw Him walking on the water they were terrified "Its a ghost they said" and cried out in fear"

The account in Mark:6:48- we find this interesting statement " He was about to pass them by"

Do Not Be Afraid

There in the midst of their storm Jesus comes to them and speaks the most often repeated admonishment in all the Scriptures  and Matthew:14:27- "Do not be afraid it is I"

Verses 28) tells us that Peter wants to believe that His Lord is with them here in this dark storm, and begs that Jesus bid him to walk upon the turbulent sea, Jesus' simple answer is for Peter to 29)-"Come" Peter takes these  fledgling steps of faith and as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus , Peter could do the impossible, he walks on stormy sea.
But when the waves roar and the wind hows, Peter's focus is drawn away from Jesus and he begins to sink
29-30)  "Lord, save me!"as Peter sinks he cries out to Jesus who immediately reaches out to save Peter. "You of little faith why did you doubt?" is Jesus' gentle rebuke. When Jesus and Peter get back into the boat a calm ensues, Matthew:14:32-33- and they worshiped Him, saying "truly you are the Son of God"
This was the point, so that they might see this truth that Jesus is the Son of the living God.

For Us in Our Storms

This is not just an account of what happened to the disciples alone, this is all of us in that boat   amidst the wind and waves and darkness. There are time when our Lord Jesus may send us sailing into the darkness facing storms which buffet against us to the point where we think that the small boat of our lives might be swamped , yet just as Jesus' watched them His loving eyes are upon each of us, even as we strain at the oars hoping to make head way in the face of raging waves. 

But then after we have struggled He comes to us, we may like the apostles, misinterpret Jesus' presence in the situation and may even feel that He is about to pass us by, but it is here that He comes to us and calls to do the impossible and walk upon stormy seas. And  if we will but just step out of the boat and keep our eyes on Jesus we can do just that. And if by chance, we become distracted by the conditions around us and begin to sink beneath the waves, He will reach out and save us.

When He Gets in Our Boat

Jesus Himself may at times send us into stormy weather , that we might learn to keep our attention fixed upon Him, and when we see Him as the object of our attention we can do the impossible , and walk on water.

He Himself will bear us up and enter the boat of our lives bringing calm and the revelation that Jesus is the Son of the living God.

Another Miracle, Our Destination

We see however another miracle here, often overlooked , in John's account it says that when they were willing to take Him into the boat then they immediately reached their destination, John:6:21.

That is, when we are willing to take Jesus into the boat of our lives and see that He is the Son of the Living God, we then reach the  detestation of all human life. Jesus is that destination of us all. When we come to believe in Jesus then our lives have accomplished everything a life was intended to accomplish, we are at our destination in Jesus.

Jesus Himself sent the disciple into that storm , so that they and we might learn that He is the Son of the living God. Amen

Rev.Todd Crouch, Pastor

The Fountain of Life Church a Congregation of Grace Communion

Washington, Pa 

Fountain of Life Broadcast heard on RKP Radio 1710 & 1670 AM in Washington, Pa.and 1710 AM in Bentleyville , Pa. And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com 

Out of Zion

The first sight that any who approached Jerusalem saw was the Temple of God, built atop of  Mt. Zion, rising above the city  in clear view, seen by any and all that came to Jerusalem. Regardless from which direction that  Jerusalem was approached, the Temple of God dominated the skyline.


 The Temple was the most striking and predominate feature in all Israel. In fact it becomes clear that, upon examining the city of Jerusalem ,  the whole of the city was built around and with the purpose to sustain the worship and all other activities which took place  at the Temple of God.

The Temple atop Mount Zion

The Temple stood on Mount Zion, which was originally a Jebusite strong hold which we are told was taken by King David.

"Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion, the City of David." 2Samuel:5:7

David then turned the site into the place of his palace, which later on became the location for the Temple of God built by David's son Solomon. 

The Temple of God, there at Jerusalem, was the center of life of the city and the nation of Israel. The whole of the nation was to revolve around it's relationship with God that found its expression in the  sacrificial system and other ceremonies which were prescribed in the Books of Moses as part of the Old Covenant
 that had at its core the 10 Commandments.

"Moses was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant--the Ten Commandments" Exodus:34:28

This is the very same Covenant the people of Israel agreed to with the great God we can read about this in
 Exodus 20, 21, 22 and 23. This  relationship with God was to be the obvious difference in the life of the nation of Israel and it was to be the first thing other nations would see when Israel was approached. 

This relationship was to be seen as a beacon that shone forth out  to others out of the lives of the people of Israel, both individually and collectively no matter from what direction they were approached, that is why the Temple sat atop Mount Zion so it could be seen by all who came near.

 "From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth" Psalms:50:2

This relationship was to shine forth to the end of the Earth.

What is Seen First?

What about us, what is the first thing that is clearly seen when the "Jerusalem" of our lives are approached?

What is seen first.... does the Temple of God, that is our relationship with Jesus Christ , dominate the skyline of our lives, is this what is seen first ?...The whole nation of Israel was built around this relationship   and so was the city of Jerusalem, it was evident that this was so.
So what about we Christians, what do others see when they approach us? We are told by Paul that we are the Temple of God.

"Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" 1Corinthians:3:16

That is, we are in a relationship with our God , is this relationship the first things that is seen when anyone approaches the Jerusalem of our lives? Is it obvious to all that our live , like the city of Jerusalem is built around this relationship? Can it be seen no matter which direction  we are approached? Where ever we might be? If we are approached on our jobs, at school, in our communities? Does this relationship, that is our worship of the great God, does  it stand out is it the dominate feature of our lives? As the city of Jerusalem was built to support what took place at the Temple, are our lives so ordered as well?

Mount Zion

Discribing tha church in Hebrews it says.

 "But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly," Hebrews:12:22

This is what should been see in our lives each day and in every area of our lives, our relationship with God in His Son Jesus Christ.  All with whom we interact should see this. God intended it to be seen

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden" Matthew:5:14.

God's abiding presence in our lives should characterize all that we do, in truth what is transpiring , is that Jesus Christ  is living His life in us, we of our own selves under our own strength  could nerve bring glory to the great God,   it would be arrogant for any of us to believe different. It is all through Who Jesus is and what He is doing.

 "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2Corinthians:3:18

It all comes from Him alone. Other should see Jesus in us regardless of how we are approached our lives should revolve around Him as Jerusalem was meant to revolve around the Temple of God that sat high atop of Zion.  We join in the Son of God's perfect worship of the Father , we could never worship God as He alone deserves, only Jesus can do this , being both fully God and fully human. Through Him as our High Priest we enter His prefect worship, Jesus leads us in the word presented and the praises sung.

"He says, "I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises."Hebrews:2:12

All should see in our lives that it is the Great God which most important to us, He guides our every activity in life and all interactions. He is that One Who should shine forth out of each and all so that those around us  will see that it is the Lord that:"From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth" Psalms:50:2
Amen

 Rev.Todd Crouch, Pastor

Fountain of Life Church

Washington, Pa 

Fountain of Life Broadcast heard on RKP Radio 1710 & 1670 in Washington, Pa.

And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com 

Elementary Notes on The Canon

 "The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it"-Psalms:68:11



The body of works called the Bible, that is  Scriptures,   speak to us about Who the great God is and as He reveals  Himself to us in the person of His Son Jesus Christ, where did we get the New Testament, how was it assembled  ?

The Need for Scripture

In the early church, there were many writings that abounded, some were 

legitimate and inspired by the Holy Spirit, they were the result of  what Greek calls "inspirata" which means breathed into. That Is God through His Spirit  into the heart of the Biblical writers to  convey to humanity what God has to say. There arose a need to have a body of writings that were agreed upon as being inspired  and recognized as being from God so that there would be constant from which to teach.   We are told by Luke that many had produced accounts of Jesus' life, words, death and resurrection.

 "Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us" Luke:1:1

Most Early churches had maybe one copy of a Gospel or an epistle to utilize, which would sent to other churches, few had a complete or multiple copies to read and preach from.   

 So, of the many accounts, especially of the Gospel's , not to mention the epistles, how did the early church arrive at the collection of works we call the Bible ?  There abounded many writings that began to espouse ideas that stretched the orthodox Christianity teaching;  often theses writing were unknown until a person or group began to proclaim them, leading many to suspect that they were not authentic. 

  

 As Christianity began to grow and time past the Post-Apostolic church gathered to considered and in some cases debate  the question(s). This was a lengthily process which took time, not all were in full agreement , some believed that 2 & 3 John were too short  along with Jude, to be included, others questioned as to who wrote Revelation , some some thought  that it may have John the Presbyter rather then Apostle John,  others considered it to be the nonsensical  ramblings of an old man. Some thought Hebrews should not be included due the lack of a name affixed to it. Some questioned 2 Peter due to the   different style in writing in some respects to   1 Peter . 

Other writings that did not meet the standard and  discarded were the Acts of Paul and Thekla, Gospel of Thomas ,  Acts of Andrew,   Gospel of Peter , Revelation of Peter, Revelation of the Twelve and others which were "gnostic" writings . Some of these writings were as 2Peter:1:16 says  "cunningly devised fables" . Others may have been penned by Biblical personalities, yet lacked the intrinsic evidence of being the "Word of God" speaking perfectly to us about the Great God.
 It took time, prayer, discussion  and above all the leading of the Holy Spirit to arrive at agreement about what should and should not be included.

Sorting It Out

By the time of the "Patristic Writers";  this is the period roughly from  the close of the Apostolic period around 100  AD to 400s AD.


These Early church fathers are basically divided into the Ante-Nicene Fathers, that is those who lived and wrote  prior to the Council of Nicene(325) and the Post-Nicene Fathers, those who wrote after 325.  The " Fathers"   were also divided into Greek and Latin writers as well. Some of the prominent Greek Fathers are Justin Martyr , John Chrysostom, and Cyril of Alexandria .   The Latin Fathers are Tertullian , Cyprian, Jerome, Ambrose of Milan, Gregory the Great and Augustine of Hippo.

The church poured through the manuscripts and their content and  grouped these writings in to  basic categories: These categories were formulated by the Church Historian Eusebius,(270-340 AD) which helped end the controversies over what should be included and what should be dismissed. He applied the same approach that was used to canonize the Old Testament.

 

Homoloumena:-Writings which were accepted, all agreed upon them.

Antilegomena- Writings that there were some questions about their acceptance.

Pseudepigrapha- Writings coincided forgeries or heretical.

The Apocrypha-Books written after the Canon of the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament)  was completed and never written in Hebrew and never referenced to by Jesus or the Apostles with one possible exception, Jude may have  quoted the Book of Enoch  in Jude 1:14

Early Mention 

Starting just about the time of the sacking of Jerusalem by the Roman armies, the New Testament was in pieces and passed from congregation to congregation and slowly was  being assembled by some who  had multiple copies of some of the writings. Prior to this word of mouth was the main conveyance and transmission of the Gospel, along with an occasional epistle.

Clement of Rome  an early church leader quoted from and coincided  authoritative many of the Canonical writing which are in the Bible. 

The Author of the Barnabas Epistle who some scholars think may be Barnabas himself, uses  again both Old Testament and New Testament references.

A early collection of writings called the Didache, also referred to as the "Teaching of the Twelve Apostles" quotes from Matthew's and Luke's Gospels and asserts their inspired authorship.

Many other early church leaders, such as Polycarp, Papius,Justin  & Ignation  quoted  again Matthew  and John along with Paul's works giving the Apostolic writing as much recognition  as they did the Old Testament.

Many others church leaders that followed did likewise , Clement of Alexandria, Irenaeus and Tertullian.

Canonical Councils

 Four basic  Councils that were called to discus the question of Canon

Council of Laodecia-336 -AD
Council of Damascus-382-AD
Council of Carthage-397-AD
Council of Hippo-419-AD

At Loadecia Council  all that  we have of the New Testament was accepted but not Revelation, which was later accept at the other councils. 
Time nor space permits a long recounting of theses proceedings but they produced results that have blessed many for generations and resulted in the word of God being available to peoples down through the ages and many lands.

                                                                   How Chosen?

What was the means  by which the leaders of the church compiled the New Testament?

Apostolicity- All the writings had to have as its author an Apostle or another minister of that time.

Universal Acceptance- All Churches had to accept a given Gospel account or Epistle.

Uniformity- Consistent With all other accepted writings and historic teaching of the Church.

Inspiration- The Holy Spirit's inspiration must be  evidently  discerned.

Early Acceptance- Referred to, used and listed as Scripture by the early Church "Fathers".

Exhortation of Proclamation- Within the text there needed to be  direction to preach and proclaim the message of Jesus and the reading of the word.

When the  manuscripts were discussed, the above method was employed and what we have is the  result.  The Canon or body of writings, the Bible,  that speak to us about Jesus, it is a living document and has transformed the lives of many for time and eternity. Amen

Rev.Todd Crouch, Pastor

Fountain of Life Church

Washington, Pa 

Fountain of Life Broadcast heard on RKP Radio 1710 & 1670 in Washington, Pa.  
And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com                                      

Elementary Notes on the Gospels: Part V, John

The Gospel of John, called the "Most Beloved Gospel", 

its Greek name is  τὸ κατὰ Ἰωάννην εὐαγγέλιον. 

John's account is  written with a different style and intent as the Synoptic Gospels , John writes with such insight into the Deity and Humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ.
John of all the writer's seems to speak to believers and presents an ongoing and growing Revelation of Who God is,  as He reveals Himself in Jesus .

In closing His account John tells us why he was moved to tell of Jesus.
"But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." John:20:31

John was a fisherman from Caprnaum , a community set on the shore of lake Galilee. He was the son of Zebedee and Salome and brother of James.  Jesus called  the brothers  "Boanerges" (translated "sons of thunder")  Mk:3:17   at times they would show their anger became wild, fierce and thunderous causing them to speak out like an untamed storm. At one point John and his brother James wanted to call down fire on a Samaritan town, but Jesus rebuked them. Lk:9:51-6 .

From early times  it was believed that John died of old age being in his late 90's , it is thought that he was one of the youngest of the Apostles. Some legends say that his enemies attempted to boil him alive, but were unable to do so,  that is why  in some church iconology John is represented as an eagle in a cauldron. Mostly John is represented as an eagle as an eagle fly high in heavens so John saw from a heavenly view.  


John was called by Jesus to be one of His twelve Apostles. It seems evident that John had a close friendship with Jesus he is called:"One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to Him" John:13:23.

John was, along with Peter and James,  one of the witness of the rising daughter of Jairus and one of the three who was with Jesus and saw the Transfiguration. Mark 5:21–43, Matthew:9:18–26, Luke 8:40–56    Matthew:17, Mark:9, Luke4:9


The date of the writing of John is thought to have been between 70-100 AD and was probably  written from Ephesus in Asia Minor where John
  led the Church being the last of the original Apostles of Jesus.  John is also credited with writing 1 John, 2 John,  3 John and the Book of Revelation.
Some believe that John was asked to write his account to counter gnostic teachings  that were rising in the church at that time, especially the belief that Jesus was not fully God. 
What was occurring was the emergence of "gnostic" teachers who claimed to represent the "true Church"  which in truth was just an alternative history to that of orthodox Christianity as taught by the disciples and their predecessors.  These "teachers"  had a whole host of teachings  but one was against the full divinity of Jesus. Some viewed Jesus as a mere apparition that  He only seemed to be "real" .
Some taught that Jesus was a man who became "good enough" to be called or adopted as God's son. There was a belief that Jesus was just a man who was "possessed" by the "divine spirit" which abandoned him at the cross.
And some taught that Jesus was an angel or created being.

Themes of John

Some of the themes of John , is that Jesus is that one who from the very beginning  was to come. John starts his Gospel in a unique way, tying the creation of the material  universe as seen in Genesis:1: "In the beginning"   first chapter  to the spiritual creation we have in Christ, and even proclaiming Jesus as the agent of both creations. John:1:1 " In the beginning" . Jesus is demonstrated  to be the Word of God , the "Logos"  the perfect Revelation of Who God is .

That the "Logos" is "Theos".    In the Hellenistic world there was a belief that above and beyond the pantheon of gods was a "power"  which superseded even them, and humanity could appeal to this "power" to find help from the oppressive Olympian gods. This "power" if resorted to would intervene and prevent the gods from harming humanity any further.

John is explaining to them that what their myths hinted at Jesus is the realty of it. He, Jesus,  is not just a "power" but God,  the true God,  the only God.  "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John:1:1

John shows how Jesus is that Messiah and provides several examples of power and signs to prove that He is. John includes uses of Scripture, the testimony of John the Baptist, Jesus Himself, God the Father ,the miraculous healing and works , the Holy Spirit's witnesses and even John's eye witness account
. 

Just a note: some who deny the Triune nature of God, those who believe that the Holy Spirit is just "divine power" the flows from God, will often turn to John:1:1 and ask if God is one God in three person's , why isn't the Holy Spirit mentioned here? That is a good question. The answer is; He is not mentioned here by name because He is the one doing the speaking, and He  speaks not of Himself but of Jesus.

 " He will not speak on his own;" & He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you" John:16:13a ,14.

Understand, there is not "three persons" in one God but rather One God in three persons- this  is what is called Tri-Theism. This is not Historic Christan teaching. Nor is God two persons who have eternally  agreed to be in agreement, yet completely distinct from each other , or a "family" of gods this is  binary-ism. Nor is God just one divine person alone, that would unitarianism. God is one God in three. Father, Son , Holy Spirit. The doctrine of the Trinity actually emerged out of the need of the early church to defend its true monotheism that there is one God.

Out Line of John

1.Prologue: The Word, Incarnate,

2.Evidence of Jesus' Messianic Credentials

3.Passion Narrative:Death-Resurrection

4.Epilogue:Parting Words to Peter &  John

The  Seven Great "I AM"s

John is careful to show the divine nature and identity of Jesus in his presentations of what is called the great "I AM"s showing that very one who preached and walked in their midst was the very one Who from eternity past was and is and will always be God.

Jesus said to them: 'Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM'." John 8: 58 

The Jews would have understood what Jesus was saying to them He was telling them it rattled their accepted view of their God. This challenged the view that they always held.

 "God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you." Exodus:3:14

John is making sure that there is not question in our minds as to Who Jesus is.

"I AM the bread of life" (6:35, 48).

 "I AM the light of the world" (8:58). 

"I AM the door" (10:7, 9).

"I AM the good shepherd" (10: 11, 14). 

"I AM the resurrection and the life" (11:25).  

I AM the way, the truth, and the life (14:6).  

I AM the true vine (15:1, 5).   

 YHWH

Jesus is identifying himself to Israel and to all humanity as the  I AM, the very one who is God that created all things, that called Abraham out of Ur, Who met Moses on the Mountain and spoke the words from the burning bush, "I AM that I AM". Jesus is One and is the very One Whom the Jews believed they worshiped. Jesus is telling them that He is  YHWH , which is  possibly pronounced Yahweh.

Clearing the Temple

John,  in his account gives attention to the clearing of the Temple of the money changers and animal pens in the Temple courts. These persons who were using the worship at the Temple as a means to profit and defiling this place of worship  , but their presence and activities were actually keeping some out.  In John's Gospel this incident  is placed early in the narrative  in John:2 yet in the Synoptic Gospels it is placed at the end of Jesus' ministry. Mark:11, Matthew:21, Luke:19.  

Some have speculated that it may be describing two separate events one taking place at the early point of Jesus' ministry the other at the end. 

It maybe that the truth is found in the whole  point of John's Gospel, that Jesus has come to restore a right relationship between God and  humanity, that Jesus has come to remove from the "temple of our lives" those selfish inclinations and anything else that clutters our spiritual lives. John may have placed this event early to demonstrate the intent of Jesus' coming,  placing it early on in his account so that it is there in our minds as we read his Gospel. John seems less concerned about the chronology and more concerned with the intent and what it means for us all.

Behold the Lamb

John give some time as well to the ministry and witness of John the Baptist , in fact,  when John engages us at the inauguration of the work of Jesus he does so by taking us to the banks of the Jordan where John the Baptist prepares the way  for Jesus as He steps  into His public ministry.

"John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.'" John:1:19-23

John also used the Baptist's pronouncement that  Jesus is the "Lamb of God"

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

The lamb of God would again be a symbol that John would present in the Book of Revelation where John would sees Jesus as the Lamb still bearing the wounds of the crucifixion 

"Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne" Revelation:5:6a

In this verse John brings together the death and the resurrection, the" lamb looking as if slain" ,(the death), but is "standing  before the throne",   (the resurrection).

Nicodemus

Only John gives us  some of the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus John:3:1-14

The Beloved Verse

"For God so loved the world" John:3:16  is found only in John.

Woman at the Well

The account of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well is only John:4, where Jesus asked for and then offered  her and us the true "Water of Life" .

"He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life." Revelation:21:6

Lazarus- and the Shortest Verse 

John also takes us to the tomb of  Jesus' friend  Lazarus and Jesus calling Him forth from the grave, here we read the shortest veras in all the Bible.

"Jesus wept." John:11:35

It is here that Jesus calls Himself the Resurrection, even before His own actual  resurrection,  showing us that His resurrection only demonstrates what has always  been true. He is Life and the grave nor death have power over Jesus. It also tells us that Jesus can resurrect any situation, that He is never too late to act for us even when we may think other wise.

Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” "Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

“Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” John:11:21-27

Foot Washing

 John pays attention and describes the foot washing that Jesus preform at the "Last Supper", where as the Synoptics do not.

"The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him." John:13:2-5

John uses the foot washing in the same way that the Synoptic accounts uses their descriptions of the Bread and Wine, that it is through Jesus we are forgiven all our sins by His actions, but John uses the foot washing to reflect what Christ has accomplished for us, that is He has made us clean. John tells us in detail that it is Jesus who does the washing. Jesus was looking ahead to the cross and what He'd accomplish for us, that is the washing our sin away.

"Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them" .John:13:12c

"let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." Hebrews10:22

"and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." 1John:1:7c

Discourse and The Lord's Prayer

John also gives us the account and discourse of Jesus just prior to His arrest and death, the  promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit.

John:14- Jesus' comforts and encourages Apostles, He is the way

John:15: Vine and Branches 

 John:16:- the Work of the Holy Spirit, and Jesus' overcoming of the World

John:17- As He prays as our High Priest for all Christians through out the ages , that we might all have that oneness and unity

Post Resurrection

John:21 contains the account of the seven disciples meeting the resurrected  Jesus on the beach of Galilee, they had gone back to fishing, but Jesus wants them, and us, to understand that after they, and we,  encounter Him our lives can never be the same again. Jesus  tell them to cast the net and there will be a great haul.  

We ready of Jesus' love for Peter, 15-19, and lastly the last words of affection and promises of work yet to done by John himself, 20-24.

No Book Big Enough

John closes his account telling us all that there is no means possible for anyone to list all the acts of Jesus

"Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written" John:21:25.

We find John's reason for his Gospel in 

"Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." John:20:3-31

All that we might Believe....Amen

 Rev.Todd Crouch, Pastor

Fountain of Life Church

Washington, Pa 

Fountain of Life Broadcast heard on RKP Radio 1710 & 1670 in Washington, Pa.

And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com