Luke 1 ~ He has helped +

Luke 1

46 And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.

50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.

51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.

54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.







And what news does Mary return to? The Talmud, the Sanhedrin Council becomes very interested in Jesus. In learning his birth and his parents, in making Jesus look bad. Lying of course to smear him.

What we do learn by the Sanhedrin upheaval are  facts and their desire to sabotage Jesus with opinions. Joseph has died and Mary is poor, yet her father is Heli. David's Line, the Davidic Line through Heli. 

Remember Herod paid attention to the Magi - Biblical or Spiritual knowledge. Herod was always intrigued by God. Entirely possibly the Davidic line was removed from Bethlehem, which has so many prophecies written about Bethlehem and placed in obscure Nazareth.


Mary is reporting what Isaiah says in Isaiah 7
21 In that day a man will keep alive a young cow and two sheep, 22 and because of the abundance of milk that they give, he will eat curds, for everyone who is left in the land will eat curds and honey.

23 In that day every place where there used to be a thousand vines, worth a thousand shekels of silver, will become briers and thorns. 24 With bow and arrows a man will come there, for all the land will be briers and thorns. 25 And as for all the hills that used to be hoed with a hoe, you will not come there for fear of briers and thorns, but they will become a place where cattle are let loose and where sheep tread.


Mary knows about what her joyful prayer states. There is a severe inequality of wealth. And the Roman Empire has created another time where a remnant of the faithful are left.






King David and Mary the Mother of God have different opinions about wealth. The Sanhedrin Council roundly denounces Mary, The Mother oF God as poor. In need of work, unable to rise to professionalism pleasing to the gentry of the Temple lawyers and High Priests. They are just plain rude. And acknowledge she is the daughter of Heli. Luke 3 explains Heli.


King David has something few people talk about and the first time I heard this sermon on a radio program I highly doubted this. However, as I believe the Scripture I see this is true. David was a conqueror. He made Israel the largest this Nation had ever become. David did not spurn trade with wealthy nations. He used their architecture in his palace, located outside of City Walls - choosing instead that God alone had brought him securely and would be his protector. David chose to Shepherd all of Israel and welcomed the people who had always played it safe with money, position and political caution.

The Temple required 7-1/2 years to construct and the efforts of about 180,000 laborers, (I Kings 7:13, 5:6, 13, 14; II Chronicles 2:17-18).


The materials assembled for the Tabernacle are d in Exodus 35-38. The total quantity of gold collected was approximately one ton; of silver, 3-3/4 tons; and of bronze, 2-1/2 tons. At approximately $500 per troy ounce, or $6000 per pound, or $12,000,000 per ton. Silver currently is priced around $12 per troy ounce, or $144 per pound, which is $288,000 per ton. Hence, the gold and silver used in the Tabernacle built by Moses would be worth over $13 million today. Exodus 12:35 states Jews were given gold, silver, and ornaments by the Egyptians at the time of the departure from Egypt. The golden lampstand in the tabernacle weighed a talent and would today be worth a half million dollars for its gold alone. A replica of this Menorah is now in the Temple Institute in Jerusalem. (These prices for Gold are old.)

The plans were made, and David amassed the materials (I Chronicles 28:1-19; II Chronicles 2-4; I Kings 6-7). These materials included 100,000 talents (Ref. 3) of gold and 1,000,000 talents of silver, (I Chron. 29). From his own private fortune David also gave 3,000 talents of gold and 7,000 talents of high grade silver. This is an enormous quantity of gold and silver by any standard: 100,000 talents of gold = 3750 tons, value today = $45 billion; 1,000,000 talents of silver = 37,500 tons, value today = $10.8 billion. In round numbers, the wealth of the First Temple was about $56 billion. Or if we take the current Gold Price Per Ounce $1,232.40 = $137,984,000 Billion. (Larger than Presidential hopeful Donald Trump's 4 Billion. We have to credit all to God and some to the God inspired Egyptians.)


Josephus wrote of the hoarding of wealth by the High Priests. The Second Temple was not wealthy although the Temple Tools returned from the Babylonian Exile. The plunder Titus carried to Rome could well have been worth tens of millions of dollars. Cicero wrote of great influxes of gold to Jerusalem. Josephus, Wars of the Jews, has told of Tradition saying the intense flames of the Temple fire melted the gold and silver and it ran between the cracks of the rocks. Roman soldiers then totally dismantled the Temple stone by stone to extract the gold, Matthew 24:1-21.




David spoke of a Nation worshiping God. Still much in evidence of human failings.

Mary spoke of puppet state, where the King plays for the Emperor. And the wealthy work the laws of this. The Essenes left the Temple, saying it was empty of the Holiness of God and wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls.

His (Jesus') mother and His brothers (not sisters mentioned here however) were standing outside, seeking to speak with Him." Matthew 12:46

Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:16, Acts 1:13

Mark 6:3
Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.




James the Just writes of being the son of Mary and living this life.


James 2
2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves

James 1:10
But the rich should take pride in their humiliation – since they will pass away like a wild flower

James 1:26
Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless

James 2
5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?

James 5
5 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. 2 Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. 4 Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. 5 You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.






There are always what Jesus calls "it rains on the just and the unjust." Parallels to now and the First Century Christians.

Jesus in His Victory had something to say about what He wants. To save the entire world.


James goes on to tell us what he has decided after Jesus becomes the Victorious Risen Messiah.


The Book of James

James 1
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.


James 2
2 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.

8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.


James 3
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.





Jesus says He gives us a new commandment - The Law to Love.

The Roman Empire was won. And the next 1,000 years the Roman Empire continued in Constantinople. 


Living Parables. His Story.

 

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Luke 9 ~ Now it happened that as He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him.

Luke 9

And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.

And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. 4 And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. 5 And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” 6 And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.





7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, 8 by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen. 9 Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he sought to see him.




10 On their return the apostles told him all that they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida. 11 When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing.

12 Now the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, “Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.”

13 But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.”

They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.”

14 For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.”

15 And they did so, and had them all sit down. 16 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. 17 And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.





18 Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him.

 And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”

19 And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.”

20 Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”



21 And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”





23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white!

30 And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him.

33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. 34 As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.

35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.





37 On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him.
38 And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. 39 And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him. 40 And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.”

41 Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.”

42 While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 43 And all were astonished at the majesty of God.





But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, 44 “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” 45 But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.





 46 An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. 47 But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”


 

49 John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” 

50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.”


 

51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”

 55 But he turned and rebuked them. 56 And they went on to another village.




57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 
58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 

59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

 61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”




Luke 9 ~ Now it happened that as He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him.



A lot of what happened in the life of Jesus, was not written down. He was a toddler in Egypt, a pre-teen with one Biblical event. A teenager. A young man in His 20s.

Jesus as a boy is forensically recreated from the Shroud of Turin.

The Books of the Bible First Council of Nicaea debated had a wonderful story of the child Jesus making clay birds with His siblings. Jesus is so pleased with His bird, He makes His have life and fly off. A wonderful story about the Author of Life. The very next chapter Jesus makes fire with His eyes and fries other children for acting rude as children do. So the First Council of Nicaea wisely decides this is cute, but Jesus was not a child frier.



Luke 2:40
And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.


We know Biblically Mary left Nazareth for 3 months. The only greeting she is Biblically reported to have is that of Joseph saying he will marry her. They next depart for Bethlehem, back to the family hometown, where no one greets them with a spare room. Then they depart for Egypt sometime after dedicating Jesus at the Temple with no family recorded as going with them.

And yet we learn Mary lived with Jesus' wisdom and His stature in the community as a child, with the favor of God and man. We learn that Mary and Joseph - probably with the wonderful aspects of Jesus - blend back into the community.

John 6:42
They kept saying, "This is Jesus, the son of Joseph, isn't it, whose father and mother we know."

Mark 6:3
Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him.


Jesus has helped His parents blend in. Using God's Son's Skills like this:


Luke 5:22
Jesus knew what they were thinking

Matthew 9:4
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said

Mark 2:8
Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, "Why do...




Jesus fully understood how to blend in with the community:

Luke 17:14
When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed.

Luke 5:14
Then Jesus ordered him, "Don't tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your ...

Matthew 8:4
Then Jesus said to him, "See that you don't tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."





Yes, Jesus knew for many years to wait for Father God to reveal His Power in Father God:

John 2
Woman, it is not my time.

Luke 9:21
Jesus warned his disciples not to tell anyone who he was.

Mark 8:30
And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him. ... Jesus sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.

Matthew 12:16
He also ordered them not to tell people who he was. ... and strictly charged them that they should not make him known some accusation, that Jesus might be ...

Matthew 16:20
Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. ... Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus

Mark 3:12 
But he gave them strict orders not to tell others about him.





And suddenly all that Jesus had waited for had begun. Soon many large crowds went to the wilderness to find Jesus.



Jesus grows larger and larger in the recognition of the people traveling to the outbacks of Judah. Jesus is not surprised. He has bursts of God's Mercy and Goodness flooding the people. Jesus knows He is going to carry the Cross for us.


Jesus is telling us about growing up. Understanding what all the Bible and all the authors are telling us in the Holy Spirit.

Hear, Oh Israel, Love the Lord Your God with all your heart and mind. Love others as yourself. On this hang all the Law and the Prophets.


Jesus is a map to understand the layers in life we all come to. Jesus adapts to being an adult in charge. Jesus is saying always know First: Your Place with God.

This chapter demonstrates the serious issues of the life of Jesus as He progresses, and also tells us how Jesus is prioritizing His decisions.


For us this is the jump into Mississippi River of life. Sometimes there are eddies that are calm and smooth summer days, winter doldrums. And other days the fervor of life picks up steam. And then we must know where we are nourished in our soul's destination - Father God.

Prayer is not our only and last resort when all else within our grasp is not obtainable. This is our daily bread - communication with the One who loves you Best.

Luke 9 ~  Now it happened that as He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Cast Your Nets Ministry in the Philippines

Mark 1 ~ “What do you want with us, Jesus"

Mark 1

1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

“I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way”—
3
“a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’”


4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”



12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.





14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”


16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.

19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.




21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” 28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.




29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.




35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”

38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.





40 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”

41 Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 

42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.



43 Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 44 “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 

45 Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.

On being afraid of God. The Demons were afraid of Jesus. They felt Jesus was going to ask them to do something they surely did not want to do. And they travel in groups.


I recently heard a sermon from Tim Keller saying to believe God is our "Authority", then falling down will occur. We are to worship in Spirit and Truth. God is a God of Love.

God is ... Father. Willing to love. Available. Tender. Compassionate. Giving. To Give is a response for giving Thanks.





God says make your own path straight. I, in the care of Father God, don't have to worry about what other people are doing or thinking too much. I will be responsible for my path. Making my life honest.

God says forget implications. That is double speak. Go for mercy and justice. Kindness. Make my words pleasing to Father God.

Life is a confusing wilderness sometimes. In Father God, I will keep on His Path.

I will have more peace when I acknowledge God is in charge and I will rest on His Ways, Wisdom, and make the best of the day. I will pray and say with peace "The Will of God be done. Amen"








Father God is for me as His Child. Just as His voice spoke to Jesus.


I will believe Jesus is correct. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. His will is open for me. Jesus did heal in large groups, usually Jesus has time for one person and healing does occur.



Thank You, Father God, Jesus is for me. Thank You Father God for Your promises. Help me this day to welcome you into every part of me and help my soul to be Your Home. Forgive me when I am wrong, lead me to what is Good in Your eyes. Blessed be the Name of the Lord and Blessed be His Son, Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

John 1 ~ You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”

John 1

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

2 He was in the beginning with God. 

3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 

11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 

15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 

16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 
18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.


19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 

23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

26 John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.


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

30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 

32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”


35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.

 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” 

And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 

39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” 

So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.

40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him,
“We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).


43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. 

He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.”

44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 

46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”

 Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 

47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 

48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” 

Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 

49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 

50 Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 

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

Father God has been seeing all of us since Genesis 1, Genesis 3 Father God assures us, He fully understands us. John 1 Jesus picks the event back up and says mankind has within him the goodness Father God wants to draw us to Him and keep us forever. Jesus says I saw you praying under the fig tree and mankind, you and me, jumps up with Incredible Enthusiasm and says "Me? You saw Me? YOU LOVE ME!!! YOU ARE GOD!!! No one sees me! Yet You, God, understand me and Love me!" The Good, Good News is ~ HE SURELY and COMPLETELY DOES LOVE YOU!!!

Jesus says into all of His Creation, He sees this as "Good."  And God sees far. Sure the equation is balanced, God sees what is in mankind and He does not entrust Himself to us, until Joseph (of Armimathea, huh, same name...) Mary, John, and Nicodemus will be there to play their important part in the victory over death.

We Love God because He loves us. First.

The nice part of understanding Genesis to John's True Gospel is this - this is the same Father God, represented fully by His Son Jesus Christ - God does not change.

The same God. Yesterday today and tomorrow.


The same wonderful Father God who in His unparalleled wisdom is the Holy Spirit creating His Throne opening with the 12 Pearl Gates, always open, like His Prayer Policy in Steadfast Love. Beautiful trees lead to His Throne, the announcement carpet is shining water running from His Throne and surrounded by His favorite colors, Emerald Green and then Red. The colors of the Gospel of Matthew and Luke explaining Jesus.

Genesis to Gospels, God is interweaving His Good for the faithful. Romans 8 assures us. We bless Father God. Thank You. Thank You for Jesus. Amen.

Heaven, is of course, centered on this Magnificent Father God and His Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Hear Oh Israel, the Lord thy God is One. Alpha to Omega.


Father GOD,
As Believers of Christ Jesus, we believe in the Gospel of God,
We are loved by God and called to be saints,

Let the Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ fill us.

We thank our God through Jesus Christ for all of the People we Love and pray for. We lift up their concerns to You. In Christ Jesus the Lord. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †