Jonathan Edwards

Completed question in next entry box

Yes they were responsible (2 Corinthians 3:15-16; Matthew 13:14). Satan blinded them (John 8:44; 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Ephesians 2:2 ; 1 John 3:9; 5:18). Pharoah persisted in rebellion and reaped bad consequences. Prophet Ezekiel repeatedly preached about persistent rebellion. God will be mercifull. However; God will put delusions or stumbling blocks into their hearts. Ezekiel 8-9 describes this process quite succinctly; secret sins are destructive as well as false teachers and gross heresies.

The healed man was excommunicated from the synagogue. This man did not hesitate to oppose ythe judgment of the Pharisees; he had firm conviction of the miracle of the energy of Divine power and in the character of Christ as the representative of God. His parents were not exactly supportive of their son. No wonder why Christ sought him out ; the healed man needed to be further discipled and confirmed. Christ had to make him the subject of spiritual illumination. Miracles though magnificent cannot work faith. Christ engendered faith in this man. Faith is based on knowledge; this man receives Christ's testimony with promptness, and accepts him as Redeemer. His confession is concise and unremitting. He worships Christ. The Greek word for 'worship' is proskunein-simple act of faith in Christ. We are anticipating the confession of Thomas the Apostle (John 20:38). This man's openess, faith and knowledge were extraordinary ! He was ripevfor the picking. What a work of grace. The denunciation of the Pharisees and the lukewarm reception of his family made him think more profoundly upon Christ's mission, his character and divine nature as the Son of God. Christ knew the predicament of this man that had a divine miracle; Christ gradually discipled this man by signs, by word and by his character.. Yes ! There are individuals that I know that I have dealt with in the past. Amazingly, a number have kept in touch with me over the years.

How awesome is our God. The sovereignty of God at work. After carefull reading of aforementioned Bible texts, I now aware that Christ ministered in different ways in accordance with his Father's direction. He didn't do this healing ministry carelessly. His commandment He has given Christ to speak (John 12:49) is the germ and power of eternal life (John 6;63; 12:50; 1 John 3:23). Yes we must spend much time in prayer and implore God for a holy anointing before going out to ministry. I have used Gospel tracts to witness. For some that is the best way to reach co-workers or if one is at a restaurant. I remember my days ministering on skid row and in a maximum security state hospital. We cannot touch the Ark of the Covenant lest we be out of the will of God. New ways of doing things not in line with the Bible will bring disaster. All through out Acts of the Apostles, St Luke wrote constantly on how the HOLY SPIRIT guided the church. So we need to be very carefull to ask the Holy Spirit for direction. Some decisions may not be to our liking but we need to obey God in various matters of ministry.

Sin is not always the cause of affliction. Personal and immediate sin is not involved in the imperfections of reproduction. Christ didn't state the cause of this man's malady, God wasn't the cause, God is the Healer. It is the Devil that is the back of the cause (Matthew 12:22; Acts 10:38; John 10:10; 1 John 3:8). People who are going through deep trials are in God's school of suffering. Only when we get to heaven will we fully understand why things happened here in our earthly lives. God the All-mercifull permits and appoints human infirmities and calamities. Though we cannot understand it in this earthly realm, God is truly working the works that to be manifested. In the midst of our troubles, we know that Christ manifested divine operations. Christ manifested divine mercy, divine power and divine grace. This blind man was thought to be a monument of sin is now a monument of divine power, divine mercy and the magnificent divine redeeming grace of Jesus Christ. In the midst of the dark nites, we can give glory to God. Apostle Paul was not permitted by God to go into an unevangelized area; God had His reasons. His sufferings drove Apostle Paul to preach more about his Messiah and Saviour Jesus Christ. Apostle Paul sanctified his myriads of trials; he didn't waver in his Faith.

John 8:58 underlines that Christ is stating that he is greater than Abraham. Christ uses the divine name "I am". Here we have terrestrial time and heavenly eternity are joined together. He is the Jewish Messiah in history whose existence was in eternity. CHRIST is now flesh in time. John 8:58 confirms John 1:1-5 in two ways. Christ is Light from Light, eternal Logos. In Christ are embodied all the treasures of the divine wisdom (Colossians 2:2-3; 1 Corinthians 1:24). Christ is from eternity in his Incarnation; Christis the utterance of thought of Deity; Deity is now expressed. There is no 'he' in the Greek in John 8:24, 28, reminding us of the name of God in Exodus 3:14-15.."I am" means the Eternal, the ever present One.

The devil is being exposed as the anti-christ. He causes confusions and delusions. Adam and Eve lied in the garden of Eden; the people rejected Christ due opening up their minds to Satan's lies. Today and since the ancient past, there have been people even in the church world that combine truth with error. They have specious or evasive reasonings...many seminaries teach errors combined with Orthodox sounding terms. Now we have many clergymen who are sincere but sincerely wrong. The results have been ruined ministries and destroyed lives due to lack of serious Bible study and a devout prayer life. The devil is the cause of this. I am reminded of the warnings of St John of the Cross when he taught about the wiles of the devil in the spiritual life. Sts John of the Cross and Bernard stressed the Lord Jesus Christ and the need of sanctification Habitual liers! The Prophets Ezekiel and Jeremiah witnessed such rascals during their ministries. These devious false prophets did not want the truth; they accepted idol worship and God sent them more stumbling blocks to further their rebellions. Amazingly they can put on a good show and the gullible fall for their deceptions. Some well known evangelists and high ranking Catholic officials have been serious deceived. High sounding theological training devalued their understanding of the Holy Bible.

Being a slave to sin means loss of spiritual autonomy, no residence to sin. Apostle Paul exclaimed what a wretched man he was. He explained beautifully how our spiritual condition is without Christ (Romans1-7). Sin is a manifestation of spiritual slavery. The Jews are not the freed sons of Abraham due their rejection of Christ. Those enslaved by sin need to receive Christ as personal Saviour. They need to put off the old man and put on Christ (Romans6). Through his crucifixion and exaltation, Christ our Joshua has entered the holy of holies to be our High Priest. We have access to the Holy of holies; we are no longer outer Court believers but now beckoned to the Holy of holies. Per Romans1:4, Christ now can set the Jew and Gentile free of sin (John 8:36). By the power of the Holy Spirit, a man or woman can be set free from sin. By God's grace, a person receives Christ as personal Saviour and is baptized in water and sealed with the Holy Spirit. Honest and sincere confession is necessary. Coming to the altar in a spiritual sense is crucial. Burnt offering altar as described in the Book of Leviticus is very detailed about the need to lay all on the altar; "permitting" God to do his work of sanctification. In some liturgical churches, there is Rite of Reconciliation. You confess your sins publicly in presence of ALMIGHTY God.

The mark of the true disciple is placing personal reliance on Christ. The believers mind is settled; he knows that he knows ! He has a certitude, there is no doubting. The personal attitude is crucial; true freedom is gained by abiding in the Vine. Continuing in the faith is crucial. Daily mortification of the flesh is very important. The old man must be dealt with. This is where sanctification comes in. We go from glory to glory; we are still being reforned.. For John freedom is salvation, deliverance from sin. Pauline epistles explain this intricate detail. We have put on Christ; we have died to the old life. The truth is that Christ's doctrine is true and free men from sin. Pauline doctrines made it clear that Christ alone has freed us from the Mosaic Law. As the true Son of God, Chrit is the master in his Father's house. Only Christ can emancipate us slaves of sin by delivering us from sin. The world takes John 8:32 to support secular humanism. During the time of the enlightening and rationalism; various thinkers have denigrated Christ's nature and mission. Prime example is the French revolution; various philosophers denied the Christain faith and exalted rationalism. Our society had been unudated with this thinking. European existentialists also have been part of this as well with the exception of Soren Kirkegaard and Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

The great sin is rejecting Jesus as the Messiah, God incarnate. This involves cutting oneself from the One who is light and life. A very serious transgression inderd-rejecting the Son who has come from the Father. The Prophet Ezekiel eloquently writes about the consequences of rebellion. God will send delusions their way due to consistent and willfull rebellion. In John's Gospel. the Jews have rejected the 'I am'; they have rejected the truth. A very serious charge ! They die in their sin and cannot go where Jesus is going---back to heaven. The profound doctrine of predestination comes to my mind. The unbelieving Jews could not enter eternal life. Christ was from above while their physical father was Abraham; however, their spiritual father was the devil. Very sad...I have witnessed to relatives and fellow students when I was in college----listening but not listening. Here in NYC, many churches-people are cynical. Tragic indeed. Quite common amongst nominal church people, they cannot fathom that they need to be born again. My former math teacher, a Roman Catholic nun, would tell my fellow students about the crucial need to receive Christ as personal Saviour. She was a nun for many years. She was made fun of--so tragic---if only they listened !

Christ is the real light of the world not the festal torch. Christ bears WITNESS to himself and HIS JUDGEMENT is true. Christ's light shines on all other objects. Christ reveals the real nature, origin and destiny of all other men. The world cannot reveal anything of his destiny to him nor spread light to Christ. Christ alone bestows life; Christ alone knows fully his origin and destiny. He can guide men on their spiritual journeys their destinies prepared for them by the Father. Jesus is the light, the divine life. In our world of darkness, Christ has brought divine light to invade the darkness. We have a final clarion call of illumination. Sanctified living. The world, flesh and the devil are under feet. We now possess this ZOE--Gods life, unending life. We can believe in God now for the forgiveness of sins and physical healing. St Paul repeatedly mentions that we are now new creatures in Christ. Those that have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. We can cooperate with God by HIS GRACE ALONE to live a sanctified life. This is also very crucial in avoidance of doctrinal errors and sinfull living. The centrality of Christ's priesthood after the Ascension is paramount for the Christain. Jesus Christ is our Joshua interceeding for us here on earth; we have access to the Holy of Holies. So now we go glory to glory as we live a sanctified life.

Christ did not condemn this woman in public. She had enough humiliation. Christ respected her remaining sensibilities. Christ gave her the acquittal of a higher court. He would become her defender and friend. Christ would not be harsh and censoring. Though the tide of hatred was seemingly overwhelming; this woman was cast into the warmth embrace of Christ's forgiveness and infinite love. Yes, this lady was guilty. She became a suppliant at the feet of Christ. The rancor of the accusers was gone; the sick and the Physician alone. Christ's character shown brightly in this cunning plot. He is the very Son of God and very Son of Man. Christ vindicated the Law; the claims of the Law were upheld. Christ's presence and words became unbearable to them. Christ exercised superior knowledge, wisdom, authority, holiness and mercy. Christ was conforming to the rule made and provided for the trial of an adulterous by the bitter water (Numbers 5). Like the priest, Christ stoops down; and making the floor itself his book. He wrote things analogous to those curses and adjurations written in a book by the priest, against the woman that was about to be tried. Christ told her to go and sin no more. This statement involved condemnation of the past but was full of hope. The very presence of Christ who is all pure and perfect was itself a rebuke and reproach to her. Her self respect and hopes were restored. Repentence is very important. All throughout the Book of Ezekiel, repentence is paramount. God's glory left the Temple due to unrepentant hearts. Secret sin was being tolerated. Just like Achan in Joshua, the "accursed thing" was being tolerated. The sin of Achan was giving the Israelites trouble (Joshua 7). Deliberate refusal to repent will cause the wrath of God to be poured out; God will give them delusions that will further strengthen rebellion. Big problems in many churches. People are not aware of the need to repent of secret sins. Sanctification is very important. Many have a very superficial understanding of the need to have the mind of Christ. This frivolity that is so current leads to serious sins. It is evident in a cross section of churches.

What Christ wrote on the ground could have been a prayer, names of those who He knew that were hypocrites that were accusing this woman. Christ didn't want to engage in the foul moral atmosphere around him. He stooped to the ground in silent contempt and of inward and holy disgust of the hypocrisy round about him. The accusers shrank in his presence from asserting their sinlessness. Whatever Christ wrote on the ground must have pricked their hearts. Christ maintained his composure during this time. It was a sure time of grace ! Their consciences were convicted. The woman's seducer was absent; the crowd failed in this respect, they didn't haul in the immoral man. I am reminded of the seven thunders that uttered their voices (Revelation 10:3-4). Apostle John was commanded to seal up the those things that the seven thunders uttered. A mystery for it is not revealed (Deuteronomy 29:29).

The Greek word is 'anamartetos'. To be free from irregular desires which would might lead to such sins. Christ calls for inward holiness and freedom from all irregular propensities. Christ is calling for personal chasity as the only moral condition to execute the ancient law of stoning. Christ knew that had foul hearts and false zeal. The issue here--did these accusers morally competent to condemn to immediate death and carry the verdict to execution. Truly, Christ was giving a tremendous summons from on high; the hypocrisy of the accusers was so evident. Very sad that people in the church use this narrative to allow and condone sin. The Epistles of St Paul are replete with admonitions and judgements. A man of God must judge and call out sin; he must preach the Word of God in season and out of season. Christ is not stating that only the sinless can condemn or pronounce a verdict; Christ is referring to execution of the Mosaic edict of stoning. Anamartetos is referring to being free from the desires which could lead to actual commission of such sins. Christ requires absence of from desires of the sarx- the flesh that would lead to the sin of adultery. Christ is pointing out hypocrisy in Matthew 7:1-5. The call to holiness is a very serious call. To live a sanctified life is of utmost importance. Christ is not condemning righteous judging; we are rational human beings. It is hypocrisy that Christ cannot tolerate.

The trap set up was either he must give a verdict that the woman must be stoned in accordance with the law of Moses. However; the Jews were not allowed to override Roman law. Christ would appear to be much stricter than the Rabbinical authorities. If he replied that the woman should be freed from death; Jesus's would appear as a Rabbi not faithfull to the Mosaic Law. Stoning her would be tantamount to overriding Roman law. This would be the start of murder or a riot.. Not stoning her-Christ would appear as a Rabbi not faithful to the Mosaic Law. The Rabbinical authorities could denounce Christ to their people as a blaspheme who had no regard for the Torah.

Christ invites all to come and believe in Him. Christ promises eternal life to the believers. CHRIST is the new temple in which Israel shall worship and will be the true source of real life for the world. This was fulfilled at Pentecost after Christ was glorified. It is characteristic of Apostle John insisting on the glorification (the crucifixion and exaltation) of Christ before the Spirit could be given. Only by going to Calvary with Christ can the disciple acquire this life giving water-we take up our Crosses as true disciples. I can testify to the graces of God in my life. When my parents took me to church to get baptized and than being duly taught the Faith in school and at home---the streams of living water were given to me. At my first Billy Graham Crusade as well in June 1970 ! The period of my college years-was given Christain formation. Through out my secular career and being faithfull in the ministry, God has renewed me in the Holy Spirit.

Prophet Isaiah taught that God will choose delusions because when He called, they didn't heed to His voice; but persisted in evil, and chose that in which God delighted not (Isaiah 66:4). The sermons of Prophet Ezekiel have admonitions of the same genre. God has put stumbling blocks in their obstinate hearts; they believe in lies. They cannot know God's will. They have a Laodicean spirit; they gloss over the commands of the Holy Bible.

They had Rabbinic schools. The genius of Ezra was very important for education. Ezra and his faithful scholars were instrumental in starting Jewish education. Pre-war Europe had a number of Orthodox Jewish centers of learning. Babylonian Captivity was crucial in formation of the Talmud. RABBINIC Judaism in the times of Christ was replete with many traditional rules established by scholarly Rabbinical authorities. Christ was in the Temple growing up but He was definitely taught by His Father. Joseph and Mary taught Jesus as he was growing up. They were faithful Jews who went to the local synagogue. Those silent years of Christ! The hours of prayer that He spent with God the Father; in prayer time Christ was taught directly by His Father. The Prophet Ezekiel was tutored directly by God but not on the same level of Jesus Christ. What a profound thought! I had formal theological training. I was schooled in ascetical theology as well. My background was rich in the liberal arts : philosophy, Latin, Greek and history. At my college, daily chapel services were mandatory. We had frequent retreat days as well. Also I developed a personal prayer life by the grace of God. Formal training is necessary in our day and age. We have so many young men that have not been taught early about a strict Bible reading schedule and the rudiments of a genuine spiritual life. When all is said and done, the spiritual life is nurtured by prayerfully reading the Holy Bible. We must spend time in quiet prayer meditating on what we have read. There are no quick fixes. To be receptive to God's direction, we need to be silent and ask the Holy Spirit to direct us. Prudence is paramount. We discuss trying issues or various inspirational thoughts with a more experienced Christian pastor or counselor.

Jesus knew that their hearts were not open. Cynical minds cannot comprehend the truth. The heat was turned on in Jerusalem. The Rabbinic authorities were dismayed after hearing the statements and miracles of Christ. Those who left Christ after the Bread of Life sermon most likely conveyed their misgivings to the authorities. A weighty question ! So many godly pastors during the Cold War had to be prudent. Also during the Nazi era as well. There is nothing wrong on being prudent. Christ prayerfully had to make some serious decisions. So we too prayerfully and with consulting wise people- make sound decisions.xd

Christ had casual "fair weather" followers imbued with novelty. The Apostles recognized that Christ as God's Son, sealed unto the work of giving his life for the world. Those who no longer followed Christ went back to the world and to the religious traditions of the scribes and Pharisees. Faith is God's gift, the salvation of man depends upon God's efficacious grace.

The metaphor of the Bread of Life is denoting that Christ in Himself is life. The Israelites died during their sojourn in the wilderness. Life giving properties ! His life was to be sacrificed for the salvation of the world. As the Bread of Life, Christ is the sustained of the Life he communicates (1 John 1:2). Having faith in Christ the Bread of Life will bring the full satisfaction of all wants. As for partaking of His Body and Blood; Christ is making the connection to His work-atoning death on Calvary. Christ is the Paschal Lamb. Christ has secured this zoe life on Calvary. The Prince of Life submits to death; he gives his flesh for the life of the world. Eating his body and drinking his blood are phrases denoting belief in Christ (John 6:35, 40,47). Metaphors in this chapter are pointing us to the awesome theme that receiving Christ is absolutely essential to have eternal life; Christ is the Substance or the Reality of life. Christ crucified flesh is the essential food of the immortal soul. Christ utilized these metaphors to reach the Jews whose mindsets were formed by the Levitical ordinances which were types of which Christ crucified was the transcendent reality.

Eating the Bread of Life is being formed in Christ. Apostle Paul brings this out splendidly. I am complete in Christ; I am part of the mystical Body of Christ; baptized into Christ. Eternal life dwells within me: a temple of the Holy Spirit. Yet I am being saved; day by day I mortifying the flesh and live in holiness all day long. The word in Greek is theosis. We are being sanctified each day; we count the old life as dead, we are going from glory to glory. Nibbling is not conducive to spiritual growth. We must be very serious to have a spiritual regula; a disciplined Christain lifestyle. Each day is Bible devotions and prayer. If possible we should be diligent in frequent reception of Holy Communion. Also being faithfull in our ministries is very important to a mature Christain lifestyle; God will bless us as we go about doing spiritual and charitable works of mercy.

Predestination is truly a deep and wonderfull doctrine ! The eternal will and purpose of God. Christ Jesus the Word made flesh had a duty to perform and he will fulfill it. The Father will give to the Son those who believe and preserve them to the end. Christ's mission is not of his own willing or planning but entirely obedience to the will of His Father. The Father's will is that who see the Son and believe should have eternal life. Christ will ensure eternal life in this life, but in the life to come. We have divine action behind unbelief. ALL who believe do so because they have been taught by God the Father and Jesus received them, gives them life, and preserves them in holiness all day long. God does call people from out their unbelief to belief and eternal life. We are taught by God when we are growing up in a solid Christain home. A home is a little church. This is strengthened as a young person is further discipled as he goes to Sunday school and studies his Bible. What an awesome calling! To be predestined to be part of the Body of Christ. Ephesians 1 is so detailed about this doctrine.

People do good works to fulfill their calling as Christains. Their hearts are in the right place. However, there are well meaning people whose focus is on good works and not on the Cross. Friar Martin Luther is a prime example. Even amongst ultra conservative Amish, focus is on the myriads of rules. If rules are not kept, one may be strongly advised to leave that particular Amish church. The work of God is work that pleases God, a life that conforms to his will and good pleasure. A life of faith and trust. Our faith walk is not based on the myriad of dietary and purification rules of Jewish Oral Law.

The Galileans were earth bound. They couldn't comprehend the true meaning of the miraculous feeding of the five thousand. They wanted more earthly bread and fish and to see more unusual happenings; they were short sighted indeed. Instead of centering on Christ, they were centered on their earthly desires. They wanted to make Christ as an earthly king and provider of bread. They didre recognize that the Messianic manna is the Word of God. Divine teaching and wisdom (Deuteronomy 8:3; Proverbs 9:2-5). ,