John 1:29-42 ~ “Behold, the Lamb of God!”

 

John 1:29-42

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 [4 p.m.]. 

 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, “So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter [Cephas and Peter are from the word for rock in Aramaic and Greek, respectively).

In this passage, John acts as the Church. John doesn't exist to serve himself, but to be part of God's plan. Hurray for John! I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God!

Father God, so many souls, so many needs, so many seeking You. Establish and strengthen Your Way! Help the men and women who act as the Body of Jesus Christ. Daily encourage, strengthen, lead, and empower Your children with Your Holy Spirit, the people who shine Your Light. We ask in the Highest Name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

Isaiah 9:2

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; 

those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, 

on them has light shined.

Proverbs 4:18

The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, 

shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

John 8:12

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 

"I am the light of the world. 

Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, 

but will have the light of life."

I watched a special on the 2,500 to 3,000 year old mummies found scattered in China. It was really well done, they documented the success and failure to obtain DNA from each mummy and told about the known history of each person. One was a 5-year-old boy buried with beautiful blankets, woven with great care. The loss of the blankets to the family indicated how much the child was held in esteem. Another, a young woman with beautiful skin clothing and jewelry. A man they thought might have been a king, buried with a horse. Everyone was surprised to find the DNA indicated a high level of travel, there was Eastern European, India and a blend of DNA from around the world.

It is human nature to come from the beautiful miracles of John the Baptist's birth and Jesus' to wonder how John can say, twice, he didn't know Jesus. Or Jesus came before John, when John is older.

Proverbs tells us there are men who knew Heaven before being born on earth. Jesus isn't part of that select group. Jesus is the Word of God, with God, at the beginning of creation. Proverbs also tells us about the joy Jesus found in Creation. Jesus was... before John.

How and why didn't John the Baptist know Jesus - his cousin? 

Why can't we be more surprised by the rest of the 1st Chapter of John. 

Men meeting Jesus for the first time declared to each other, "This is the Son of God" In both verse 41 and verse 49 of John 1. This is far more astonishing - Jesus has men leaving their way of life behind to become His disciples in a mere afternoon of listening to Jesus.

So why, why doesn't John recognize his cousin Jesus? 

It's pretty obvious when we add up what we know. It seems we must look at this question. John's parents were old when he was born. As people become very aged, they do not travel greatly. Traveling was difficult even for the young. John's parents lived 90 miles from Jesus. John surely heard, in his youth, about Jesus and the "funny circumstances" surrounding the quick wedding of pregnant, un-wed cousin Mary. When we see the Gospels record only cousin Elizabeth's support for Mary, we must also remember John the Baptist probably heard more of the rumors from more of the family - who are not remembered in the Scriptures.

So .... why didn't John recognize Jesus??? 

For the same reasons, we didn't recognize Jesus until we invited Him to be part of us. Before we really knew Him: we heard about Jesus from other sources. Not all the sources were credible. Family (Church) is sometimes boring, and the time it takes to get there and back is too long. Why put the effort into going when people aren't always nice? We missed the family get-togethers (Church) for so long, people hassle us about That too. If you don't remember the family stories correctly, there is mocking. It's all a big tangle to sort out, and we have other things to do.

Then, more importantly, it comes to the decision time. 

As John grew spiritually into God's plan for him, Jesus became important to him. John took the time to dwell and think about who Jesus is. God revealed not just family, a good man, but a Savior. John, bravely, and with certainty, says, 

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

Abba, Father,

To see our Father, the Holy Spirit and Jesus

as a Lamb.

The Lamb who Heals, Restores,

Rejoices in Right, Gives Hope,

Renews, is a Balm

and Strengthens,

Is to know 

we want Jesus Christ to dwell in us.

Abba, send Your Holy Spirit to dwell in us.

Dwell, we ask, in the Highest Name of Jesus Christ,

in those we Love.

Help us always to Seek You First.

Your Salvation saves those who believe

and call on You.

In Jesus, we will finish well.

You uphold the Universe

with the Power of Your Word.

Your Love and Grace

Save the world in Jesus Christ.

The Gift of Salvation

and Eternal Life.

We ask about the coming Summer

and ask the ease of the dire weather

as we pray and hope in Jesus.

Bless our Nation and the Nations seeking Jesus.

Bless Ukraine with Peace and Victory.

Please, Bless Your Good Creation, for Your Glory,

more Heaven upon earth

Your Good Will be done.

Thank You, Father,

Amen in Jesus. Amen.

Jesus, God of Encouragement.

Jesus, Hope and Future.

Jesus the Lord

saves the world

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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John 14:1-3,13-17 ~ ask Me anything in My Name, I will do it

 

John 14

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.”


Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.



John 14 suits this part of life perfectly!

1 John 3

8 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; 20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. 

21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 22 and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do what pleases  Him. 

23 And this is His commandment, that we believe in the Name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as He has commanded us. 24 Whoever keeps His commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

Abba,our Father

We will not be troubled. We will pray for God to be pleased. You, Abba, will arrange this to be placed to please You, Our Father. 

And we know the direction of Jesus is Good. A Hope and a Future.

Gratitude for the Lord God Almighty, Our Father, to answer with such Mercy. 

We will ask for more of Father God's mercy over the coming years. And rely upon His Goodness. And when we are not sure what to pray, know God will bless us with the intervention of the Holy Spirit going deeply into our souls and dwelling there to return the prayers to Father God in His Home of Emerald Green. 

Blessings of mediation from Jesus Christ, our God and Lord.

 The Willingness of Father God's goodness. 

We have the assurance of our prayers heard in the Kingdom of God by You, Father.  

Blessings of Your Steadfast Mercy.

Blessings of Love, Peace and Joy as we seek God's Kingdom.

Gratitude for the healing of Harby and their family. 

Continued healing for Dee. Healing for all the families.

Pray for families during these days to be secure

and bolstered.

Jesus with us each day. Jesus with our loved ones each day. 

The Holy Spirit dwell in us richly and find the Joy Jesus has each day. 

Welcome Holy Spirit of God, Welcome. 

We pray for our Nation and for the believers around the world.

 More Heaven on earth. Jesus in the Holy Spirit dwelling within.

Help us to Seek You First.

We pray for Ukraine to have peace.

In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

Philippians 4

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 

13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.

Father, Abba, Thank You, In Jesus' Name as Lord God. Your Will is so Good. Amen.

Run to Jesus, John 21, For Breakfast with the Victorious, Risen Jesus

Jesus, God of Encouragement.

Jesus, Hope and Future.

Jesus the Lord

saves the world

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Acts 13:1-5 ~ Now

Acts 13:1-5

Now there were in the church at Antioch
prophets and teachers,

Barnabas,
Simeon who was called Niger,
Lucius of Cyrene,
Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch,
and Saul.

2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them.

Archaeology. Something you sift through to find meaningful analysis. Like Historical evidence. And God's Word.

God Word, 1 John 4, tells us never be afraid to examine what we know for truth.

Dang. Don't you wish the Disciples had been literate?
Dang. Wouldn't it be great if the Bible had been written before 400 A.D. and we hadn't had to deal with these dirty, illiterate, yutzes that "God" mistakenly chose?

The paragraph above thinking is - - -  mistaken.


When God said the creation was good, how many times? 11 times. God rarely repeats Himself like that, maybe God was supporting 11 Disciples. Saying these 11 men were wonderful. Chosen, special, loved.




Let's explode for all time some pop culture and look at Archaeology.
God has built Archaeology to be a clue for the faithful.
A tool of seeing with wonder what God has done.
It will be rare when something of Archaeology brings Salvation.
And yet, why would we ignore what others have found and in their experience - publish.








Home of Peter and Andrew in Capernaum. Next door to the Sea of Galilee and the Capernaum Synagogue. Became a House Church. Then had hundreds of pilgrims leave messages in the Plaster.

Peter and Andrew. Always looked for what God was doing. They were very aware of John the Baptist. Andrew knew from John about the Divinity of Christ. When we see their house, beside the Synagogue - we find plaster walls. A large home. Not a hut. Not something you'd find for dirty, illiterate men of little wisdom.

The spacious home of fishermen, was next door to the Synagogue - they knew kosher. Cleanliness. And water. See the Sea of Galilee.

Papyrus 46 which is owned by the University of Michigan. And lists 300 chapters of the New Testament in almost perfect condition. Argued over - are the verbs - 1st or 2nd Century?

Who was alive then? John the Beloved Disciple. A great historian called Polycarp. Polycarp was the Disciple of John the Beloved Disciple. Polycarp records John's approval after 'reading' the Gospels of Matthew, Mark (who wrote for Peter the greatest Chapters under popular discussion of Peter's recollections) and Luke (illiterate Physician?) - who stayed to the end with Peter and Paul.  Peter and Paul are historically recorded in Mamertine Prison as being imprisoned and executed for believing in Jesus Christ. Polycarp records literacy, among other useful information.












And so we leave Jerusalem, where 16 years after the death of Jesus, 340 years of Roman Emperor terror about Jesus Christ.  And 340 years later was still being investigated about 'that' Jesus as God. Unlike little Judea, which came to be known as Jesus' area. We leave and head to Syria - which was considered a Post worth having as a Roman Official.

And we look at  

ANTIOCH

You have your little Judea, your better Syria, but ahhhhhhhh Antioch. You've arrived. This is the Place. Beautiful Antioch. Twenty-one times the New Testament says 'Antiahhhhhhoch'.

Who was here?

1. Barnabas, Cousin to John Mark, Mark's gospel, with Peter to the end. Barnabas took some of the oldest Scripture to India.

2. Simeon who was called Niger, This is the Gospel. This is the first Civil Rights Movement. This man took the Gospel to Alexandria.

3. Lucius of Cyrene, Simeon probably traveled with Mr Libya. They are taking the Gospel to the Next Continent.

4. Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch  You are "Absolutely" in trouble for running around with Christian infidels if you are a pal of Herod. This Herod is Herod is Herod Antipas. A lesser known Herod? Oh noooo. This Herod is put on the throne by Census taking Emperor Augustus. Nephew of Caesar. King since 4 B.C. Married to his sister-in-law Herodias, this Herod is rather Touchy. One is in Danger traveling with the Christ Disciples

Giving a whole new meaning to - "Men the Roman Empire is upset who is running around Proclaiming Jesus as God."

5. Saul. Believe me, they were not grubbing around in Antioch. Paul was one of the best educated at the Temple by Gamaliel - himself. Paul had the best credentials.

Later...

6. John - This is the first man adopted by the incredible Sacrifice of Jesus. He is now the son of Mary, Mother of God. Plenty of courage. John stayed to the last breath of Jesus Christ.

These tile Mosaics - are they found in Judea - yes, thanks for thinking of this - yes, they are found in Caiaphas - High Priest Home. "Worship no 'Image'".

Antioch tells us - Living was not just hand to mouth. Not desperate times and desperate measures to worship "Something". Telling us just like Paul's superior education. Peter's superior style of living and gracious house.  Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch - not just the men who could squeak under the prosecution wire. Not just the outsiders.  The Light of Jesus Christ was reaching across Impossible Borders and Boundaries. Not just Susanna wife to Herod's Steward.





Antioch, northern Syria near the Turkish border. 300 B.C., Antioch was a very important political and cultural center of the Hellenistic East and one of the great metropolises of the Roman Empire.

Howard Crosby Butler, Princeton professor of Art and Archaeology and the founder of the School of Architecture, led a series of archaeological expeditions to Syria (1899-1900, 1904-5, and 1909). The collective aim was to record the remains of ancient buildings and settlements. The results of those expeditions were published in several volumes that remain standard research tools for the study of late antique architecture in Syria. Some of the buildings are from 200 A.D. He discovered a city blended from 200 A.D. to 500 A.D.

Although Antioch was mentioned in many literary sources, very little was known about the physical city until 1932, when a consortium of institutions led by Princeton University conducted the first of seven seasons of excavations that would eventually uncover a remarkable wealth of finds, expanding our knowledge of the metropolis and its culture. Despite the challenges posed by the fact that much of the ancient city had been buried by up to 10 meters of soil washed down from the slopes of Mount Silpios, which towers above the town at the east, the excavations there
and in the surrounding area were able to uncover the remains of more than
80 buildings,
including two theaters,
six public baths,
a hippodrome,
and two major churches.

In addition to these public buildings, some of the porticoed streets for which Antioch was famous in antiquity, were unearthed, along with numerous residential structures.

200 A. D.


Butler deemed this suburban residence a villa of a well-to-do family from nearby Bostra. The huge residence, measuring ca. 80 x 60 meters in plan, was later transformed into a village. Symmetrically organized around a central courtyard, the entire complex, including the residential wing, was enclosed by a high stone wall. The focus of the residential wing was a large (10 x 10 meters) two-story room, internally divided by a large arch resting on massive engaged piers. Probably introduced for structural reasons, internal transversal arches of this type became ubiquitous features of residential buildings in Syria.

These houses still had walls, 1700 years later. You can bet in Antioch, these visitors were not taken in lightly.

Now

Let's be real and frank. This is the statue of Minerva. Found as decoration for one of the Baths. 200 A.D. Just as archaeology does not create believers, not all people adored Jesus and flocked to Christ. What's the point in bringing this up? We see the Gospel and Acts of the Apostles have amazing, spectacular miracles. And many people think - well, God has gone to sleep. No matter the time, no matter the season, no matter the Disciple, Prophet, Preacher or Teacher - Jesus God told us, we will always have difficulties in this life. Jesus told us to expect some are wheat - some are weeds.

And with Love - bring forth the God of Love. The God of Encouragement. Our Father God Lives. Abba is working, Jesus, too, and His Word is the power upholding the universe, the galaxy, this planet and our very lives.

Our Abba, Father

From the first of the Gospels we find out:

Luke 1:37

For nothing will be impossible with God.

From the time of Kings

2 Chronicles 15:7

But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.

Isaiah saw Jesus 700 years ahead. He was not part of the New Covenant. And proclaimed:

Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

And with this courage and this faith. We will believe 5% of life is in our control. About 95% is faith. Meaning, we are flowers of the field and God alone is God. Prayer is really our most important work and brings forth our children and the people we love. The people we are given. And the people we hardly know or will see again. Prayer is the force changing hearts and calling up the Power of the Holy Spirit.

Abba, You alone are God. And in Your Great Love and Tender Mercy. God of Love and Encouragement, we tenderly place our cares for our loved ones, the people You have given us, our own concerns, our hearts and souls, the things we think are dire today and maybe not in a year. The issues of supreme importance. And give a moment of thought of Thanks for Your answers we have experienced. And will know. Wrapping with great care - Your Love around our workplaces, Schools, Churches, Cities, States, this Nation and cover the Creation with Your Love.

Knowing Your Tender Love for Edward and all the people we pray for. For our beloved Children. Adult and child. For the dire prayer requests. For the laid-back prayers.

We Entrust All this to Your Loving, Capable and Willing Hands. For Eternity begins today.

The riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 

That he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,  far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 

And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,  which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Jesus bless us All in His Righteousness. 

Amen in Jesus Christ.

We pray for God's Good Creation

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

Jesus, God of Encouragement.

Jesus, Hope and Future.

Jesus the Lord

saves the world

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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