Sunday, November 27, 2016

Jesus’ Seven Signs in John (6)

Jesus’ Seven Signs in John (6) | Ernie's Musings


jesus-annoints-a-man-born-blind
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. (John 9:4)

Why does God allow suffering? That question usually comes from God deniers uninterested in finding truth, but more interested in challenging the faith of those who claim to know the truth. Of course, the fundamental answer to the question fails to satisfy the skeptic, that is, that the origin of human suffering, and all other forms of evil, is due to the fall of man (Genesis 3). However, regardless of that fact, the doubter thinks, “There has to be something more to it than that!”

Sunday, November 20, 2016

Jesus’ Seven Signs in John (5) |

Jesus’ Seven Signs in John (5) | Ernie's Musings


jesus-walking-on-water
But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. (John 6:20)

It comes as no surprise that they would make Him – one that could heal diseases and produce food out of thin air – their king, but He would have no part of that. Jesus did not come to be an earthly king, at least not at this time. “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). So, before they could carry out their plan, Jesus secreted Himself away into the higher elevations of the mountain.

Sunday, November 13, 2016

Jesus’ Seven Signs in John (4)

Jesus’ Seven Signs in John (4) | Ernie's Musings


john6_9_boywithloavesandfishes
And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. (John 6:2)

The synoptic Gospel writers also recorded this fourth miracle selected by John. So impressive was this miracle, that the others recorded a second very much like it. Just as when Jesus turned the water into wine, Jesus took something simple and multiplied it into more than enough. I am talking about the time that Jesus took five barley loaves and two small fish and turned it into enough fish and chips to feed a crowd of over 5000 – and that was just counting men.

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Jesus’ Seven Signs in John (3)

Jesus’ Seven Signs in John (3) | Ernie's Musings

pool-of-bethesda
When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? (John 5:6)

John opens this next section with the phrase “After this.” The second “sign” highlighted by John was the healing of the nobleman’s son (John 4:46-54), and “After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem” (John 5:1, emphasis mine). John does not identify the particular feast. Jesus was careful to observe all of the feast days according to the Law. “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil” (Matthew 5:17). Except for His run-ins with the Pharisees over “breaking the Sabbath,” He did not fail a single commandment.