Not So Insignificant...

 John 4:46 So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. 47 When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” 49 The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. 51 As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. 52 So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53 The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household. 54 This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.

In chapter 2 we noted that Jesus' first miracle recorded by John did not seem like a big deal at the time, but it was. Without that first miracle these second one may not have happened. Word had spread what Jesus had done. Jesus was back in Galilee when this son became ill, and this official had heard what Jesus did.  He was close enough to hurry to Jesus and ask for his son's life.  He was convinced that none of this was coincidence, and as a result knew his son was healed by Jesus. 

Rejecting Light

 

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

We have already seen John's introduction of major themes in his gospel, including light.  The Light has come into the world, but he was not received.  Here John develops that further. The first verse above is probably the best-known verse there is, at least in the western church, but like with any passage, we often fail to continue on to the middle of verse 18:  but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. People don't want to change; they don't want light; they often want to remain in darkness; they remain under judgment.  It is comfortable, somewhat pleasurable, and ensnaring. But the Light is still shining, extending the call to come and find truth and life. 

Do Whatever He Tells You.

John 2:1 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Having given us this grand introduction into Who this Jesus is: The Word, The Truth, The Light, The Life, and so much more, John begins to record several sermons He gave, statements He made about His identity, and special miracles He performed.  This first recorded miracle seems at first glance to be somewhat shallow or insignificant, but maybe that is the point: Are we willing to trust Jesus with the less important things of life? If we will not trust Him with those, we will not trust Him with the everlasting.  We also see here an introduction to what every miracle will require: Do whatever He tells you. Give Him full authority.  If He says: "Go wash this mud off your eyes," do so. If He says: "collect whatever food you can find," do it. If He says: "Take up your bed and get going," don't lay there and think about it. This matter of obeying Him, doing whatever He tells us, submitting to His authority, is what Jesus goes on to show by cleansing the temple and telling the religious leaders they had no right to question His authority. We need to do whatever He tells us, no matter how seemingly insignificant or how challengingly difficult.

Light, Life, Truth

John 1:9 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.

As John began his Gospel, seeking to fill in all the pieces and questions still had after the other three gospels, he puts together so many concepts and pictures that it is overwhelming. The first of the concepts is that Jesus is True Light.  Light is essential for life (another concept John discusses here), but at the same time we would be blinded by Pure Light if we stood before Him. Jesus Christ came in balanced form. He could be seen and heard and show the way.  Sadly, many did not and still do not accept Him as the Light that we all need.  The need for light is so obvious around us, as we still seek to know which way to go and seek to discern what the truth really is (truth is another concept in this chapter) in a world bombarding us with so many messages that are not true. Christ is still full of truth, which we often are not able to handle, but which we all still need.  That really is what John sets out to do: show us that what, really Who we need is Christ, who has the Light, Life, and Truth we all need.  Let's seek it out as we go through this book. 

Struggles, Scripture, & Servanthood

 Psalm 119

73 Your hands have made and fashioned me;
    give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
74 Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,
    because I have hoped in your word.
75 I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous,
    and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

86 All your commandments are sure;

    they persecute me with falsehood; help me!

87 They have almost made an end of me on earth,

    but I have not forsaken your precepts.

88 In your steadfast love give me life,

    that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

94 I am yours; save me,

    for I have sought your precepts.

95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,

    but I consider your testimonies.

96 I have seen a limit to all perfection,

    but your commandment is exceedingly broad.

Once again, these three stanzas of the longest psalm tie together the truth of scripture with daily life.  The psalmist has endured affliction and persecution, yet he has clung to the truth of God's Word. Its truths rise above and dig deeper than all the trials of life and are able to make us stand solid in the storms of life. In addition to this, the psalmist realizes that he has been placed in a position to be a testimony for God, as both fellow believers and opponents are watching for his response to life's problems. He knows God loves Him and he loves God and wants to show it to others.

The Difference

 Psalm 119

49 Remember your word to your servant,
    in which you have made me hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction,
    that your promise gives me life.

63 I am a companion of all who fear you,

    of those who keep your precepts.

64 The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;

    teach me your statutes!

65 You have dealt well with your servant,

    O Lord, according to your word.

66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge,

    for I believe in your commandments.

These quotes from the next three stanzas of this longest psalm connect learning God's Word to a whole new outlook on life.  There is a hope and comfort, a feeling that one is loved, and a sense that life is good, even when those around harass, mock, and mistreat the one who seeks after God. All of these are wrapped up in a life of pursuing God through learning and living by God's precepts, commandments, and promises.  There is a definite different in life when we take the time to be here in God's Word. 

Worldwide?

 I Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

As Peter wraps up his letter to these persecuted believers, he once again seeks to both challenge an encourage them to stand strong and trust in God.  They are to remain acutely aware of the attacks of Satan and resist the temptation to react in fear.  He then says something we may find startling: the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. In the book The Insanity of God when believers in China, the former Soviet Union, and nations dominated by oppressive Islam find that other believers also are also facing persecution, they not only are encouraged; they also commit to pray for them.  But what of those of us who face little to no persecution. Can we truly grasp these words? Or, as the book asks: Will we easily give up what so many have endured such suffering to hold on to?