Take Up The Shield Of Faith (Ephesians 6:16)

Posted by Yong Joo Park on 16 December 2024 in Ephesians | ∞

"The Armour of God" Virtual Reality Game was published on VivePort.com several years ago.

However, a part of our VR game shown in the video above was accidentally lost. I would like to restore this missing feature, which means I need to rewrite the code for it.

Additionally, I need to check if The Armour of God VR game is still functioning properly on VivePort.com. If there are any issues, I will need to resolve them as well.

With Christmas approaching, I also need to prepare the Christmas message.

Unfortunately, I was too busy with VR tasks today and couldn't post the weekly message.

In the video, however, the narrator says:

"Take up the shield of faith!" (Ephesians 6:16a NIV)
"Extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." (Ephesians 6:16b NIV)

These words are my message for today 😊.

I wanted to share my situation with you.

Have a wonderful week. See you soon!

Jesus’ Trial Before Annas and Peter’s Denial

Posted by Yong Joo Park on 9 December 2024 in 2 Corinthians, Acts, Genesis, Isaiah, James, John, Luke, Mark, Matthew, Philippians, Resurrection, Revelation, The Book of Gospel | ∞

John 18:12-27 NKJV

First Jewish Trial Before Annas

Matt. 26:69, 70; Mark 14:66–68; Luke 22:55–57

12 Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. 13 And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. 14 Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. 16 But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in. 17 Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?”

He said, “I am not.”

18 Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself.

19 The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine.

20 Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. 21 Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.”

22 And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, “Do You answer the high priest like that?”

23 Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?”

Second Jewish Trial Before Caiaphas

Matt. 26:57–68, 73–75; Mark 14:53–65, 70–72; Luke 22:59–65

24 Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

25 Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they said to him, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?”

He denied it and said, “I am not!”

26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” 27 Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed.

Message

I. Jesus Arrested and Taken to Annas (12-18)

See v12.

12 Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him.

Jesus was arrested on Thursday and crucified on Friday. Jesus could have 12 legions of angels to protect Him (Matthew 26:53). But He was voluntarily arrested (John 10:18). He was unfortunate and mistreated so that we might be fortunate and well-treated (2 Corinthians 8:9, Isaiah 53:5-6).

Joseph’s brothers were jealous (Genesis 37:11) and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites (Genesis 37:28). Joseph ended up a slave of an Egyptian (Genesis 39:1) and then a prisoner (Genesis 39:20). Joseph was mistreated and unfortunate. But God enabled him to interpret the dream of Pharaoh, the King of Egypt (Genesis 41:25-27). The interpretation of the dream enabled them to prepare well for the coming famine (Genesis 41:28-36). Pharaoh entrusted Joseph to manage the whole country (Genesis 41:37-40). Joseph rescued his brothers during the famine (Genesis 42-45). But the brothers were afraid of Joseph, fearing that he might punish them (Genesis 50:15-18). But Joseph said in Genesis 50:19–21 NLT.

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.”

Joseph is a shadow of Jesus Christ. They mistreated Jesus, but God intended it all for good. God made Jesus the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords (Philippians 2:9-11, Revelation 19:16) to save the lives of many people.

See v13-14.

13 And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. 14 Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

Annas was a former high priest who was replaced by Caiaphas under a new Roman governor. However, Annas remained a significant figure in Jewish leadership. The event related to v14 happened in John 11:50 NKJV (See the message on John 11:49-57).  

See v15-16.

15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. 16 But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in.

‘another disciple’ in v 15 is maybe John, the author of this book. He was known to the high priest (15). He took Peter into the courtyard of the high priest (16). See v17-18.

17 Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?”

He said, “I am not.”

18 Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself.

As Jesus foretold (John 13:38), Peter disowned Jesus (17). Peter stood and warmed himself near a fire, together with the servants and officers of the high priest (18).

II. Jesus’ Trial Before Annas (19-24)

See v19-24.

19 The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine.

20 Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. 21 Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.”

22 And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, “Do You answer the high priest like that?”

23 Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?”

24 Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Annas asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine (19). Regarding ‘His doctrine’, Jesus said in John 7:16-18 NKJV (See the message on John 7:15-24).

16 Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. 17 If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. 18 He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.

The doctrine of Jesus is not from His own authority but from God who sent Him. This fact can be verified if anyone wills to do His will. Jesus does not seek His own glory but the glory of the One who sent Him. He is true and righteous. When we will to do the will of God who sent Jesus, God will be glorified. Therefore, we shall know that His doctrine is from God.

What Jesus taught is God’s revelation and the truth. The only problem is the unbelief of Annas. Even if Jesus repeats it before Annas, it will waste His time. So, Jesus asked him to refer to those who have heard Him what He said to them (21). They heard, believed and therefore knew what He said (21).

When Jesus said v20-21, one of the officers struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, “Do you answer the high priest like that?” (22) This officer must be spiritually blind and dead. He didn’t know the real problem of their conversation – Annas’s rejection to acknowledge the revelation of God (or the truth) Jesus spoke. To people like this officer, Jesus must seem like a criminal—guilty and a wrongdoer. To such people, Jesus said in John 7:24 NKJV.

Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.

There are many people like this. People scorned Jesus when He was on the cross (Matthew 27:40, 42 44, Mark 15:30-32, Luke 23:35, 37, 39). James also warned the favoritism (James 2:1-4).

Proverbs 20:30 NLT says,

30 Physical punishment cleanses away evil;

such discipline purifies the heart.

Based on the above, evil invites physical punishment. There was no evil in His response to the high priest Annas. Therefore, the strike was unjust (23). Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest (24).

III. Peter’s Denial (25-27)

See v25-27.

25 Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they said to him, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?”

He denied it and said, “I am not!”

26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” 27 Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed.

As Jesus foretold, Peter disowned Jesus three times (17, 25, 26). Peter remembered Jesus’ word, went outside, broke down and wept bitterly (Matthew 26:75, Mark 14:72, Luke 22:61-62).

Maybe Peter could not understand his own behaviour, then. He might be shaken by people who belonged to the high priest. However, after his faith had grown and he was filled with the Holy Spirit, one day his message converted 3,000 people to believe in Jesus (Acts 2:41). Peter followed Jesus and glorified God.

Jesus’ Arrest: Injustice, Sovereignty, and Obedience

Posted by Yong Joo Park on 2 December 2024 in Hebrews, Isaiah, John, Luke, Mark, Matthew, The Book of Gospel | ∞

John 18:1–11 (NKJV)

The Arrest of Christ

Matt. 26:47–56; Mark 14:43–52; Luke 22:47–53

18 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. 2 And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. 3 Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?”

5 They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. 6 Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

7 Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?”

And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

8 Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,” 9 that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.”

10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”

Message

Jesus washed His disciples, taught them, and prayed for Himself and them during the Last Supper in John 13-17. Today, we study what happened after this in John 18:1-11.

I. Jesus Under Arrest (1-3)

See v1-2.

1 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. 2 And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples.

After the Last Supper in Jerusalem, they went to a nearby garden called Gethsemane. Jesus often met there with His disciples. Because of this, Judas, who betrayed Jesus, knew the place. See v3.

3 Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.

Judas brought a detachment of troops and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, armed with lanterns, torches, and weapons. This scene is reminiscent of a movie where a group of police officers arrives to arrest a criminal, with sirens blaring and lights flashing on their cars. The government became complicit in wrongdoing by committing injustice against an innocent man, Jesus. This kind of injustice happens in the world. How sad it is for anyone to be unjustly mistreated. We experience deep sorrow in a world filled with injustice. Isaiah 53:4 NKJV foretold about the Messiah bearing our griefs and sorrows. See the first part of Isaiah 53:4 NKJV:

4a Surely He has borne our griefs

And carried our sorrows;

Most people can only see the situation apparently and do not know its truth. They think the authority is doing right. They scorn the victim of injustice instead of protesting for justice (‘We do not care’ in Isaiah 53:3 NLT, Isaiah 53:8 NLT). Jesus experienced this kind of situation of ours. See the second part of Isaiah 53:4 NLT:

4b And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,

a punishment for his own sins!

Worsley, Jesus was unjustly condemned (Isaiah 53:8 NLT). The fact is that Jesus was punished in our place as a redemption for our sins (Isaiah 53:5-7 NLT).

Again, people did not protest against injustice (Isaiah 53:3 NLT, Isaiah 53:8 NLT) but scorned Him when Jesus was hung on the cross (Matthew 27:40, 42 44, Mark 15:30-32, Luke 23:35, 37, 39). While He was paying for our sins, He also experienced our griefs and sorrows to understand our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15). So, even if no one knows, understands or cares about our griefs and sorrows, Jesus knows and understands them.

II. Jesus in Control (4-9)

See v4-9.

4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?”

5 They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. 6 Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

7 Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?”

And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

8 Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,” 9 that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.”

Jesus helped them know He was the “Jesus of Nazareth” they were looking for (4, 5). But when Jesus said to them, “I am He.”, They were not able to arrest Him. Instead, they drew back and fell to the ground (6). This shows He wasn’t victimised powerlessly but was in control. He said in John 10:18 NKJV,

“No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

This fact makes it clear that He voluntarily, purposefully, and by His own choice, laid down His life for us because He loves and cares for us.

III. God-Centeredness (10-11)

See v10.

10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

Peter fought against injustice and tried to rescue his Master because he loved Him and had a righteous mindset. Peter would have been willing to risk his life to save Jesus. But what does Jesus say to Peter? See v11.

11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”

Did Jesus thank Peter? No! Never! Jesus must be offended by Peter – we can know this based on Matthew 16:23 NKJV. So, Jesus asked him to put his sword into the sheath.

Peter made a similar mistake in Matthew 16:21-23 NKJV.

21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.

22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”

23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

Then, Jesus rebuked Peter saying, “Get behind Me, Satan!” According to Jesus, we have to be mindful of not the things of men but the things of God. Here, ‘Satan’ is defined as a person who is not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.

In addition, v11 shows that

  • This situation that led to the arrest and crucifixion was the cup the Father had given Him to drink.
  • Jesus was determined to obey the will of the Father as the loving and obedient Son.

We can learn that it is crucial to know and do the will of God rather than just blindly following human-centred thoughts and decisions.

Are you God-centred or human-centred? Is it the will of God or the will of men?

When we believe in the power of death, like those who mourned Lazarus's death in John 11, we are consumed by grief and cannot move past the injustice Jesus faced in John 18. However, when we believe in the resurrection that follows death, we see death as merely a prerequisite for resurrection. In the same way, the negative experiences in life become prerequisites for the best that is yet to come.

Jesus’ Prayer for Future Believers Through Disciples’ Witnessing Through the Spirit and Word

Posted by Yong Joo Park on 25 November 2024 in 1 John, Acts, Isaiah, John, Luke, Malachi, Matthew, Uncategorized | ∞

John 17:20–26 (NKJV)

Christ Prays for All Believers

20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. 26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

Message

Last week, we learned that Jesus prayed for His disciples in John 17:6-19. Today, let us study that Jesus extends His prayer to all believers.

I. Jesus’ Disciples: Witnesses of Jesus (20)

See v20.

20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;

  ‘these’ are the disciples of Jesus. Jesus has been talking to them since the last supper in  John 13 ~ 16 and prayed for them in John 17:6-19. Now Jesus prays not only for them but also for those who WILL believe in Him through their word. The Holy Spirit and His disciples are His witnesses (John 15:26-27 NKJV).

People in the world have been in the darkness without the true light, Jesus. He came to the world but they did not recognise but rejected Him even though He created them and chose them as His own people (John 1:10-11). This is why God sent John the Baptist to bear witness to Jesus (John 1:6-7).

Through the testimony of John the Baptist (John 1:29-36, 3:27-36), many people believed Jesus (John 1:37, 10:40-42).

Jesus foretold that people would believe in Jesus through His disciples’ testimonies and prayed for the new believers (20). Jesus said in Acts 1:8 NKJV.

”But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Just as Jesus said in John 15:26-27 NKJV, the Holy Spirit’s coming upon them and their becoming His witnesses are interrelated according to Acts 1:8 NKJV.

The Prophets foretold the coming of John the Baptist in Isaiah 40:3-5, Malachi 3:1-5, and Malachi 4:5-6.  John, the Baptist was in the spirit and power of Elijah, one of the greatest prophets of all time (Luke 1:17, Malachi 4:5).

Regarding this, I want to remind the audience of what Jesus said in Matthew 11:11 NKJV.

“Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

This shows how great a New Testament believer can become. They can do what is great when we don’t limit God who can work through them. Jesus foretold them that they would do the works Jesus did and even greater works than these (John 14:12).

II. Jesus’ prayer for the unity of the Father, Jesus and all believers (21)

See v21.

21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

Earlier, Jesus prayed to the Father to keep them through God’s name for the unity of the Father, Jesus and His disciples in John 17:11. Now, Jesus prayed to the Father for the unity of the Father, Jesus and all believers (21).

III. The Glory for their Unity (22-23)

See v22-23.

22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

Jesus says that He gave them the glory which the Father gave Him. What is this glory?

I can think of the following facts that are related to the glory:

  1. Greater works: Jesus foretells that believers will do the works Jesus did and even greater works than these (John 14:12).
  2. The Promise of prayer being answered in Jesus’ name (John 14:13-14, 15:16, 16:23-24)
  3. Direct approach to the Father in Prayer, in Jesus’ name (John 16:26)

Jesus is the light (John 1:4-5). Based on John 1:4, the light is ‘life’ in Jesus. ‘life’ is the eternal life. The reason they used the light to express Jesus may be because of His glory. So, the glory may mean eternal life. Eternal life is the experiential relationship with the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent (John 17:3). Then, we can understand 22b (that they may be one just as We are one) and 23 (I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.) That is, eternal life (experience and relationship with God) brings oneness or intimacy with God. This is extended to oneness between believers.

IV. Jesus’s Prayer for Believers to be with Him in Paradice (24)

See v24.

24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

Jesus prayed for believers to be with Jesus in Paradise (24a, Luke 23:43).

We can know why the Father has given Jesus the glory. It is because the Father loved Him (before the foundation of the world) (24b). From that, we can know why Jesus has given the glory that the Father gave Him to believers (22a). It is because Jesus loved them (24b). And also, it is for their oneness between believers and with God (22b).

V. Jesus’s Gratefulness and Joy for their Faith and Salvation (25)

See v25.

25 O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me.

People in the world have not known the Father. The Father sent Jesus who Knows the Father to save them. As a result, they believed that the Father sent Jesus into the world. I think Jesus is thankful and rejoicing for their faith and salvation.

VI. The Declaration of the Father’s Name (26)

26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

Jesus has declared the name of the Father to them. Indeed, Jesus revealed the Father. He was glorious as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). He will die for our sins on the cross out of His love for us, and He will be gloriously raised to life on the third day. This will reveal the depth of the Father’s love and His desire to save us. Also, the resurrection will demonstrate the greatness, power, and righteousness of the Father. His obedience to the Father, who is love (1 John 4:16), will continue to impact and change the world forever.

Jesus’ Prayer for Disciples:  Manifestation, Belief, Protection, Sanctification, and Commission

Posted by Yong Joo Park on 18 November 2024 in 1 Corinthians, 1 John, Ephesians, Hebrews, Isaiah, Jeremiah, John, Luke, Micah, Proverbs | ∞

John 17:6–19 (NKJV)

Christ Prays for His Disciples

6 “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. 7 Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. 8 For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.

9 “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. 10 And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. 12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

I. Jesus' Manifestation and the Disciples’ Belief (6-8)

See v6-8.

6 “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. 7 Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. 8 For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.

What is meant by ‘Your name’ here? The 'name' represents the characteristics and abilities of a person. God is glorious, gracious, righteous, just, fair, faithful, holy, eternal, omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent. God is Love, Truth, Life, Light, Wisdom, and Spirit. Jesus has manifested God’s characteristics and power (6a).

Who belongs to the Father (‘They were Yours’)? They are those who listen to the Father (John 8:47, John 6:45) and learn from Him (John 6:45, Isaiah 54:13, Jeremiah 31:34, Micah 4:2, Hebrews 8:10). When they believe and follow Jesus, it is the Father who gives them to Jesus (6b).

No one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws him (John 6:44). And, no one can come to the Father without through Jesus (John 14:6, *Jeremiah 30:21 NLT).

They have kept God’s word (6c). God’s word in our hearts is like a seed planted in soil (Matthew 13:1-23, Jeremiah 4:3 NLT). Who has sown the seeds in them?

Jesus has given them the words the Father has given Him (8a), and they have received them (8b) by faith, believing that all things the Father has given Jesus are from the Father (7). They have known for certain that Jesus came forth from the Father and have believed that the Father sent Him (8c).

II. Jesus' Prayer for Protection and Unity in the World (9-15)

See v9.

9 “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.

Jesus prays for those whom the Father has given Him and who belong to the Father.

See v10.

10 And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them.

They belong to both the Father and Jesus (10a). Jesus is glorified in them (10b). Proverbs 14:28 says:

28 In a multitude of people is a king’s honor,

But in the lack of people is the downfall of a prince.

Additionally, in the Parable of the Marriage Feast, the master compels them to fill the house with guests (Luke 14:15-24).

Jesus bore much fruit by having many followers, and He is glorified in them. He taught how to bear much fruit in John 15:7-8 NLT.

See v11.

11 Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.

Jesus was about to leave the world and return to the Father. So, He prayed to the Holy Father to keep His disciples in the world through the Father’s name.

See v12.

12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

While Jesus was with His disciples in the world, He kept them in the Father’s name. He protected those the Father gave Him, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction (Judas Iscariot), so that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

See v13.

13 But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.

As Jesus prayed, He asked the Father to protect His Disciples by His name after His return to the Father. Reflecting on the greatness and power of God’s name in the Old Testament fills us with awe and causes us to rejoice in His protection over us!

See v14-15.

14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.

Giving them God’s word signifies that the seed of God has been sown in their hearts. This simple yet profound act changed everything—it transformed children of the devil into children of God. They are no longer of the world, and as a result, the world has hated them. The world is under the control of the evil one (1 John 5:19), a spiritual force in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12). Jesus’ prayer for their protection was a plea for God to shield them from the evil one.

III. Jesus' Prayer for Sanctification and Commissioning of His Disciples (16-19)

See v16.

16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

Jesus spoke twice, saying, 'They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world,' in v14 and again here in v16. While His disciples live in the world, they are not of the world.

Jesus prays for their sanctification. How are they sanctified? It is through God’s truth—God’s word (17).

Jesus sends His disciples into the world just as the Father sent Him into the world (18). A believer is like a small representation of Jesus in this world. Jesus set the model. By following Him, we can learn from His example and experience His life and relationship with the Father.

Jesus sanctifies Himself for their sake so that they may follow His example (19). To better understand this, we can consider Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 10:23–11:1. For brevity, let us focus on 1 Corinthians 10:31–11:1 NLT:

31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. 33 I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved. 11:1 And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

Jesus’ Prayers for Glorification & His Assurance of Mission Completion

Posted by Yong Joo Park on 11 November 2024 in 1 Samuel, John, Mark, The Book of Romans | ∞

John 17:1–5 (NKJV)

Christ Prays for Himself

17 Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, 2 as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

Message

The Crucifixion and the Resurrection are about to happen. And these events will restore the relationship between the Father and mankind. And mankind will be able to directly approach and ask the Father in Jesus’ name (John 16:23-27).

We note that His final and complete victory over the world was foreshadowed when He overcame the temptations of the devil in Matthew 4:1-11.

Before the Crucifixion and the Resurrection, Jesus described the impending accomplishment as if it were already completed, using the past perfect tense: “I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

After this, Jesus prayed the Father.

I. Jesus’ Prayer for Glorification & Eternal Life (1-3)

See v1-2.

1 Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, 2 as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.

John 17 begins with Jesus’ prayer to the Father. Here, the Glorification Jesus mentions in v1 is related to the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. This reminds us of Romans 8:18 NKJV.

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Even if we experience shame or pain in the Lord, we can look forward to the forthcoming, incomparable glory from God, calling the entire process or experience ‘glorification’ or ‘sanctification’.

Based on v2, these events are required to give eternal life to those whom the Father has given to Jesus. Jesus teaches the definition of eternal life in v3. See v3.

3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

Here, the knowledge is not just necessary information. Rather, it is an experiential relationship. So, Eternal life is experiencing God and having a relationship with God. The redemptive work of Jesus restored our relationship with God, making eternal life possible.

II. Jesus’ Assurance After Asking the Father: Mission Complete (4)

See v4.

4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.

Jesus said, “It is finished!” just before he bowed his head and gave up His spirit on the cross (John 19:30). However, Jesus says in v4 that He has finished the work, speaking of the future event in the past perfect tense – similar to when He said, ”I have overcome the world.” in John 16:33.

A similar example is when David knew and told Goliath that he would win the fight (1 Samuel 17:45-47) and then actually won the fight (1 Samuel 17:48-51).

Jesus taught in Mark 11:24 NKJV.

24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

Jesus not only taught but also practiced. After He asked the Father in v1-3, Jesus believed that He received them. He knew He would resurrect gloriously after the crucifixion. So, in v4, Jesus said He had finished the work the Father had given Him to do.

III. Jesus’ Prayer for Exaltation (5)

See v5.

5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

After the Resurrection, Jesus remained on earth for 40 days. Then, He ascended to heaven and sat at the right hand of God (Mark 16:19). Sitting at the right hand of God signifies that the Father glorifies Jesus together with the Father Himself.

Jesus was in the beginning with God, was God and existed before the creation (John 1:1-3).

Peace and Victory through Jesus’ Redemption

Posted by Yong Joo Park on 4 November 2024 in John | ∞

John 16:16–33 (NKJV)

The Prediction of Christ’s Death and Resurrection

16 “A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.”

17 Then some of His disciples said among themselves, “What is this that He says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?” 18 They said therefore, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is saying.”

19 Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him, and He said to them, “Are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’? 20 Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. 21 A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.

23 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

25 “These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; 27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. 28 I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.”

29 His disciples said to Him, “See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! 30 Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God.”

31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Message

I. The Restoration of Relationship with God through the Redemption of Jesus (16-30)

See v16.

16 “A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.”

After the Crucifixion, Jesus died and was buried in a tomb. During this time, no one could see Him. But Jesus was raised back to life in three days. Jesus called these three days ‘a little while’. After the Resurrection, they could see Him again. Jesus was seen for 40 days and then He ascended into Heaven.  Jesus called these 40 days ‘a little while’.

Jesus knew the future events of His Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension. Later His disciples were convinced that Jesus knew all things and had no need that anyone should question Him. By this, they believed that Jesus came forth from God (30). See v17-18.

17 Then some of His disciples said among themselves, “What is this that He says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?” 18 They said therefore, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is saying.”

The disciples of Jesus didn’t understand what Jesus said in v16. Why did they not understand? Jesus has been telling them that a little while later He was going to the Father (John 7:33, 13:33). But Jesus hasn’t told them yet that He would be seen in the world between the Resurrection and the Ascension. See v19-22.

19 Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him, and He said to them, “Are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’? 20 Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. 21 A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.

Now Jesus foretells them about their sorrow after His Crucifixion and their joy after His Resurrection. Jesus uses the metaphor of a woman in labour, who forgets the anguish after giving birth to the child for joy that a human being has been born. And no one can take their joy from them.

Jesus shows that obedience to the will of the Father results in God’s blessing and reward (a newborn baby in His metaphor) and the initial sorrow is like a woman’s labour pain before her joy of having a newborn baby.

See v23-24.

23 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

After the events, they can pray to the Father directly in the name of Jesus. This shows Jesus opened the way to God through His Redemption.

See v25-28.

25 “These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; 27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. 28 I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.”

When they pray in His name, the Father receives their prayer directly from them. It is because the Father accepts and loves them as His children. The fact they receive this amazing blessing of sonship shows Jesus came forth from the Father and has come into the world and Jesus leaves the world and goes to the Father (28).

See v29-30.

29 His disciples said to Him, “See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! 30 Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God.”

Jesus spoke figuratively in v16. But He spoke plainly in v17-28, which contains the amazing promise – the Restoration of Relationship with God through the Redemption of Jesus. This helped their faith.

II. I have overcome the world (31-33)

See v31-33.

31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Their faith has been strengthened (31). But they will be scattered and leave Jesus alone. This shows they are still little children in spirit while Jesus is a warrior in spirit. Even though they will leave Jesus alone, Jesus is not alone, because the Father is with Jesus (32). Jesus said all these things so that they might have peace in Him. In the world, they will have trials and sorrows. But they should take heart because Jesus has overcome the world (33).

 Jesus would be arrested and face trial. He would be crucified, die and be buried. They might be shaken or fail to follow Him. But they might have peace and take heart in Jesus. Jesus knew He would be successful in the Redemption of humanity - He would sacrifice on the cross for our sins and God would raise Him back to life. He said the future in the past perfect tense: “I have overcome the world.”  Amen.

The Role of the Holy Spirit and Persecution Foretold

Posted by Yong Joo Park on 28 October 2024 in Deuteronomy, Isaiah, John | ∞

John 15:26–16:15 (NKJV)

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

16 “These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. 3 And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. 4 But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them.

“And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.

5 “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

Message

I. Two Additional Witnesses of Jesus (26-27)

See v26-27.

26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

There are five witnesses of Jesus as we learned in Section II of The Testimony of Jesus Is Always True. They are

  1. Jesus (John 5:31, see John 8:14-18)
  2. Baptist John (John 5:33-35)
  3. The works that the Father has given Jesus to finish (John 5:36)
  4. The Father (John 5:37-38)
  5. The Scriptures (John 5:39)

We find two more witnesses in v26. They are

  1. Holy Spirit (=the Helper, the Spirit of truth) (26)
  2. The Disciples of Jesus (27)

Jesus promised them to send the Helper, the Spirit of truth (=Holy Spirit) in v26 and also in John 14:16-17 NKJV, John 14:26 NKJV. Jesus tells them more about the Holy Spirit in John 16:7-15 NKJV.

II. Persecution Foretold (1-5)

See v1

1 “These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble.

These things I have spoken to you (1) may be John 15:18-25 (The True Believers Hated By The World Without A Cause) and Section I (26-27). However, everything Jesus said after the Last Supper (John 13 ~ 15) may help them not be made to stumble:

  1. John 13:1-17 (Humility and Servanthood of Jesus)
  2. John 13:18-30 (Jesus Predicts His Betrayal and Highlights Representation)
  3. John 13:31-38 (Jesus’ Glorification, the New Commandment, and Peter’s Denial Foretold)
  4. John 14:1-11 (Jesus’ Assurance of Paradise, the Only Way to the Father, and His Unity with the Father)
  5. John 14:12-31 (Jesus’ Promise of Greater Works, His Manifestation, and the Gift of Peace)
  6. John 15:1-8 (Pruning of the Vinedresser, The Father and Abiding In The True Vine, Jesus)
  7. John 15:9-17 (Abide in Christ’s Love and Love One Another: A Call to Friendship and Obedience)
  8. John 15:18-25 (The True Believers Hated By The World Without A Cause)
  9. John 15:26-27 (Section I of this message)

See v2.

2 They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.

Jesus mentioned about persecution in John 15:18-25. The persecution may result in their martyrdom (2). So, Jesus prepared them by telling them as written between John 13 and 15 that they should not be made to stumble (1). See v3.

3 And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me.

Jesus has already said that they would persecute the believers because they did not know Him who sent Jesus (John 15:21). See Section I (John 15:18-21) of The True Believers Hated By The World Without A Cause (John 15:18-25) for more details. See v4a.

4 But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them.

The prophets in the Old Testament could foretell the future because they received the messages from God. Whether a future event foretold by a prophet comes to pass or not is how to distinguish whether the Lord has spoken it, or the prophet has spoken it presumptuously (Deuteronomy 18:20-22 NLT). When what Jesus said is fulfilled, the disciples of Jesus can know what Jesus said is from God, the Father and strengthen their faith in Jesus. See v4b.

“And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.

Jesus tells them why He didn’t tell them earlier. It was because Jesus was with them. So, it was too early to tell them what would happen after He left. But Jesus knew it all from the beginning.

III. The Helper (5-15)

See v5.

5 “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.

This question of “Where are You going?” was raised when Jesus said, “Where I am going, you cannot come” in John 13:33.  This question was asked by Peter in John 13:36 and by Thomas in John 14:5. Jesus answered Peter in John 13:36-38 and Thomas in John 14:6-7. When Jesus answered Thomas, Jesus said He was going to the Father and Jesus was the only way to the Father (John 14:6). So, they didn't have this question in their mind, but sorrow filled their heart. See v7.

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

Jesus tells them that it is for their good that He goes away. It is because the Helper (the Spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit) will not come to them unless Jesus does go away. But if He departs, He will send the Helper to them. See v8-11.

8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

When the Helper has come, He will convict the world

  1. of sin because they do not believe in Jesus. If they admit their sins and believe in Jesus, their sins are forgiven. The greatest sin is not believing in Jesus.
  2. of righteousness because Jesus goes to the Father and they see Him no more. The righteous deeds of the ungodly are nothing but filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). The world should put down their self-righteousness and accept the righteousness of God, Jesus.
  3. of judgment because the ruler of this world is judged.

The above things have been happening in the world because the Helper has come. See v12-13.

12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

The Spirit of truth guides us into all truth because He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He speaks (13a). This is how Jesus spoke (John 12:49, see John 5:30). The Spirit of truth is the representative of Jesus (John 14:26 NLT).  Just as Jesus foretold the future, the Helper also will tell things to come (13b). See v14.

14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.

V14 is similar to what Jesus has already said in John 14:26 NKJV. The Helper, whom the Father will send in the name of Jesus, will teach them all things and remind them of all things Jesus said to them (John 14:26 NKJV).

15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

When Jesus said, “He will take of what is Mine”, ‘Mine’ includes all things that the Father has.

The True Believers Hated By The World Without A Cause

Posted by Yong Joo Park on 21 October 2024 in Acts, Genesis, Isaiah, Jeremiah, John, Luke, Matthew, Psalms | ∞

John 15:18–25 (NKJV)

The Relationship of Believers to the World

18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. 25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’

Message

I. Those who belong to the Lord are hated by those who belong to the world (18-21)

See v18-19.

18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

There is enmity (or hostility) between evil and Good.

See Genesis 3:15 NKJV.

15 And I will put enmity

Between you and the woman,

And between your seed and her Seed;

He shall bruise your head,

And you shall bruise His heel.”

God put this enmity between them as the penalty of sin.

Isaiah 66:5 NLT shows enmity between two groups within one religious nation.

5 Hear this message from the Lord, all you who tremble at his words:

“Your own people hate you and throw you out for being loyal to my name.

‘Let the Lord be honored!’ they scoff. ‘Be joyful in him!’ But they will be put to shame.

Isaiah 66:5 NLT is the Lord’s message to ‘all who tremble at His words’. ‘Your own people’ are the Jews. This verse contrasts between ‘you’ (all who tremble at His words) and ‘the Jews’. ‘The Jews’ hate ‘you’ and throw ‘you’ out for ‘being loyal to His name’. So ‘those trembling at His words’ are ‘those loyal to His name’ and distinguished from ‘other Jews’. These ‘other Jews’ hate and are hostile against those who tremble at His words and are loyal to His name.

Their hostility shows they belong not to the Lord but to the world. Jeremiah 5:10 NLT makes this point clear.

10 “Go down the rows of the vineyards and destroy the grapevines,

leaving a scattered few alive.

Strip the branches from the vines,

for these people do not belong to the Lord.

This verse says, “These people do not belong to the Lord.” even though they have been branches attached to the vines.

Those who stand on the side of evil, don’t tremble at His words and are not loyal to His name belong to the world (19). They hate you who belong not to the world but to the Lord (18, 19). They hate you because they hate the Lord (18).

See v20-21.

20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.

If they persecuted Jesus, our master, they will also persecute us, His servant (20a). Jesus made it clear that they would persecute us. They will do so because of Jesus because they know neither the Father (21) nor Jesus (John 16:3).

II. Hatred without a cause (22-25)

See v22-25.

22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. 25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’

Invisible God came to them in visible and tangible flesh as Jesus (22a). Jesus is a witness for Himself, one of five witnesses of Jesus (John 8:14-18, See Section II at https://www.comnc.org/the-testimony-of-jesus-is-always-true). He spoke the messages from God to them (22b), which is also the Work of God He performed. He taught what no one else could. For example, only Jesus interpreted Jeremiah 4:3 NLT.

3 This is what the Lord says to the people of Judah and Jerusalem:

“Plow up the hard ground of your hearts!

Do not waste your good seed among thorns.

Without Jesus, no one could explain what this verse meant. But He interpreted it in Matthew 13:22-23 NLT.

22 The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. 23 The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

Jesus performed numerous signs and wonders that no one else did (24). The works of God are one of five witnesses of Jesus (John 5:36, See Section II at https://www.comnc.org/the-testimony-of-jesus-is-always-true).

Their response to His proofs was hatred toward both Him and His Father without a cause (25). This was the fulfilment of Psalm 35:19, 69:4 NIV.

Psalm 35:19 (NIV 2011)

19 Do not let those gloat over me

who are my enemies without cause;

do not let those who hate me without reason

maliciously wink the eye.

Psalm 69:4 (NIV 2011)

4 Those who hate me without reason

outnumber the hairs of my head;

many are my enemies without cause,

those who seek to destroy me.

I am forced to restore

what I did not steal.

Matthew 5:10-12 NKJV tells us what to do when facing persecution.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The apostles of Jesus rejoiced when persecuted in Acts 5:41 NKJV.

41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.

On the other hand, Luke 6:26 NKJV warns the following.

26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you,

For so did their fathers to the false prophets.

Abide in Christ’s Love and Love One Another: A Call to Friendship and Obedience

Posted by Yong Joo Park on 14 October 2024 in John | ∞

John 15:9–17 (NKJV)

9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

The Relationship of Believers to Each Other

12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another.

Message

I. Abide In My Love (9-11)

See v9.

9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.

In John 15:5, 7, Jesus asks His disciples to abide in Him. Today, Jesus asks His disciples to abide in His love (9c). And He teaches how. See v10.

10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

Jesus loves us (9b). We can remain in His love by keeping His commandments (10a). See v11.

11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

When we keep His commandments, He will be pleased with our obedience and take delight in us with gladness. When Jesus loves us and rejoice over us, our joy will be full.

II. Love One Another (12-17)

See v12.

12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Jesus gives His disciples His commandment that they love one another as He has loved them. Here, we note that His disciples should follow the model of His love (12b) when they love one another. See v13.

13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

Jesus says there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for his friends. This is what Jesus did for us. Therefore, loving one another in v12 includes such a sacrificial love Jesus shows them. See v14-15.

14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.

Jesus considers His disciples His friends if they do whatever He commands them. What He commands is from the Father (15, John 12:49-50, John 14:24). When Jesus shares the divine revelations including His commandment to love one another, we should know that

  • His word including His commandment is from His Father. When they obey His command, they obey not only Jesus but also His Father.
  • He is treating them not as servants who don’t know what their master is doing but as His friends.

See v16.

16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another.

Jesus chose us and appointed us to bear lasting fruit so that the Father may give us whatever we ask Him in Jesus’ name (16) and commands us to love one another (17).  Therefore, Jesus is our master.

However, we are not asked to obey blindly as slaves (15a). Instead, He reveals to us the divine will and heavenly plan of God.  Therefore, we obey Him as His friends who know what our master is doing (15b).

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