The Joys of John

[paradox3]

Seems to me @unsafe you have selected verses from various parts of the bible and worked them into a series of steps that make sense to you.

Not saying there is anything wrong with this. If we engage deeply with the bible we don't all reach identical conclusions.

I have spent a reasonable amount of time with the bible over the last few years. And I have only read & discussed about 20% of it. Compared to scholars, I have just scratched the surface.

Good thing I am okay with being a bible nerd.

 

[unsafe]

One thing I want to point out is how it shows God’s control. It’s his grace that helps us open up to the Gospel.------

You can think that that is your right ---can you provide the scripture that says God's Grace opens up the Gospel -----

I think if you do your research you will see that it is Christ's Faith that opens up the Gospel ---Grace comes through Faith Jaebius ---think about what your saying ----Faith opens and Receives the Gospel

AI

The statement "faith opens the gospel" suggests that faith is a key to understanding and embracing the good news of Jesus Christ. It implies that faith, especially in Jesus Christ, is necessary to receive God's grace and salvation.

 

[Waterfall]

Love how John’s Gospel asks us to see beyond miracles and into Jesus' heart. It’s about the Bread of Life who satisfies our deepest hunger.

You’re absolutely right that John’s Gospel doesn’t include parables or great sermons.

There are some that consider John 10 a parable.
Also the beginning of John's prologue is also considered a hymnal adaptation.

 

[unsafe]

Seems to me @unsafe you have selected verses from various parts of the bible and worked them into a series of steps that make sense to you.

Well that is your opinion and I answered what you ask -----where did i get that process from --It comes from the Scriptures ------plain and simple -----

The scripture I quoted tells you the sequence -----but you certainly do not have to accept that
Everything comes by way of Christ's Faith ----which you have to have to obtain any of the other things -to be save ----

No Human can go after God ---God comes to you =----you can't change your hardened heart to a receptive heart to accept the gospel by yourself ---you can't inbirth the right Faith in you needed to receive the Gospel by yourself ===you can't change your mind to God's ways and turn from sin ----repent -by yourself ----and you can't save yourself -----anyone who thinks they can is deceiving themselves -----

God has a process and you either follow it or you don't ---that is entirely up to us -----

 

[unsafe]

If we engage deeply with the bible we don't all reach identical conclusions.

paradox3 ----what your missing is you can go deep in the Logos word ---but that is the surface --your just reading words -----any human who can read can read the Bible logos word ---and say OH well this means this to me -----but they will not nor can they get the true meaning of the Scripture -----cause all scripture is meant to be read Spiritually ---the person without the Spirit is getting their own human worldly thinking interpretation ---

There are a lot of true Spiritual Christians who do reach identical conclusions about a piece of scripture because they see Spiritual meaning behind it ----at our Bible study most all of us are Born Again Christians and there is a lot of identical conclusions reached between us ----

 

[unsafe]

Everything starts with God choosing us. Even before time began, he picked those he would rescue, and that's all about his plan. This makes it clear that our rescue is entirely his doing, and we owe everything to him.

I agree with this

Faith is a gift from her amazing work in our hearts, and repentance is just turning towards Christ’s loving kindness.

Repentance is a mind change ----don't know how that relates to turning to Christ's loving kindness ----

Strong's
From the Greek verb μετανοέω (metanoeō), meaning "to change one's mind" or "to repent."
repenting from sin
This repentance involves a sincere turning away from past wrongdoings and a commitment to a new way of life aligned with God's will.

 

[Jaebius]

Odd man out here thinks that faith is a decision we make. But I don't rule out a call from God to get the ball rolling.

We have strayed a fair ways from today's reading. But no worries. I was as tangential as anyone else.

Tomorrow we will consider Jesus walking on the water. Then Snoopy will take a break over the long weekend.

It's a four day weekend for kids in Ontario. And for those who work in schools.

We think we know how rescue happens, but we must believe that God is working through even what seem like our small choices. His grace is at work, whether we realize it or not.

Those tangents in our conversation are little moments of grace that add something special. Tomorrow's reading will bring us back to the main focus on Christ's presence.

Can't wait for what tomorrow brings. Until then, take care and stay curious about how God brings us closer

 

[paradox3]

John 6:16-24

Bible Gateway passage: John 6:16-24 - New English Translation

Walking on Water - Now when evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, got into a boat, and started to cross the lake to Capernaum. (It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.) By now a strong wind was blowing and the sea was getting rough. Then, when they had rowed...

www.biblegateway.com

It grows dark and Jesus has still not returned to the disciples. They get into a boat and row out on the choppy lake for 3 or 4 miles, heading for Capernaum.

They see Jesus walking across the water and are frightened. "It is I," says Jesus. "Do not be afraid." They want to take him into the boat but they immediately come to the land where they were heading.

The crowd realizes that Jesus and the disciples have left the location where Jesus shared the bread. Boats arrive from Tiberias and the people enter the boats to pursue Jesus in Capernaum.

 

[paradox3]

Did Jesus mysteriously get them the rest of the way across the lake?

The study notes say that the Sea of Galilee was about 7 miles across at its widest point. So they are about halfway to Capernaum when they spot Jesus.

Does this story mean that Jesus helps us through the storms of life?

Walking on water is often used as a metaphor for doing the impossible or miraculous thing.

 

[Jaebius]

You can think that that is your right ---can you provide the scripture that says God's Grace opens up the Gospel -----

I think if you do your research you will see that it is Christ's Faith that opens up the Gospel ---Grace comes through Faith Jaebius ---think about what your saying ----Faith opens and Receives the Gospel

AI

The statement "faith opens the gospel" suggests that faith is a key to understanding and embracing the good news of Jesus Christ. It implies that faith, especially in Jesus Christ, is necessary to receive God's grace and salvation.

God’s grace creates faith! Grace is God’s initiative, His divine act of awakening faith in those He chooses.

"When you believed in Jesus, God saved you because he is very kind. You could not save yourselves, but that is God's gift to you." - Ephesians 2:8 (EASY).

Without grace, faith wouldn’t even be possible, because our natural state is spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1-5).

Grace makes faith possible. It’s God’s sovereign work, not something we muster up ourselves.

"God is helping you to serve Christ well. That means that you believe in Christ. But it also means that you receive trouble and pain on his behalf. Both of those are gifts from God." - Philippians 1:29 (EASY).

That’s why rescue is 100% God’s doing. He calls, regenerates, grants faith, and secures forever (Romans 8:29-30).

We must stand in awe of the fact that grace opens hearts, and faith is the gift that lets us embrace the Gospel! It’s all his mercy from start to finish

 

[unsafe]

God’s grace creates faith!

Sorry paradox3 just answering Jaebius here ----will be posting my take on your scripture for today now -----

No God's Grace makes available God's Faith to us -----Grace doesn't create ---Grace supplies --God's Grace supplied the daily bread for the israelites ---Grace didn't create the bread --God did ---and by His Grace he Supplied it to them

Grace is always a Free gift ---So Grace makes available to us faith and Salvation ---we then Free choice to accept or reject that faith and Salvation ----

Ephesians 2:8

NLT God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

Faith comes first Jaebius ----without God's Faith you can't even please God ------

Now to walking on the water ----

 

[paradox3]

Thanks for moving along to today's text @unsafe

 

[Jaebius]

Sorry paradox3 just answering Jaebius here ----will be posting my take on your scripture for today now -----

No God's Grace makes available God's Faith to us -----Grace doesn't create ---Grace supplies --God's Grace supplied the daily bread for the israelites ---Grace didn't create the bread --God did ---and by His Grace he Supplied it to them

Grace is always a Free gift ---So Grace makes available to us faith and Salvation ---we then Free choice to accept or reject that faith and Salvation ----

Ephesians 2:8

NLT God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

Faith comes first Jaebius ----without God's Faith you can't even please God ------

Now to walking on the water ----

Wow, unsafe, that's funny You were just answering me? Let's be clear here. My post #270 was just an answer to you. And now on today's Good News...

What a remarkable story to think about, @paradox3. It's full of visuals that really touch the heart. When we picture Jesus walking on water, it’s an invitation to trust even when things get tough. Jesus shows up right there with his disciples, breaking the rules of nature.

He meets us right where we are, too, and with him, we find peace. The storms we face become chances to grow in faith.

The moment of walking on water is a symbol of what seems impossible. I really appreciate how this story shows us that what's a wall to us isn’t a problem for Christ. No matter the storms we face or the miracles we hope for, he just asks us to trust him.

Jesus brings hope and reminds us we’re not alone. Even in hard times, he can work in ways that we can’t even imagine

 

[unsafe]

They get into a boat and row out on the choppy lake for 3 or 4 miles, heading for Capernaum.

It was dark ---I am sure the disciples who were fishermen would have been accustomed bring in their boat in the dark -----

Now if you read Mark ---it says that Jesus made them get into the boat ----and here in John 6 it doesn't focus on what Jesus said to them -----

And in Matthew in this Bible --He compelled them
Matthew 14:22
Berean Literal Bible
And immediately He compelled the disciples to enter into the boat and to go before Him to the other side, until He would have dismissed the crowds.
I say ------So it sounds like there was a big Crowd embarking on them and Jesus was concerned for them being overwhelmed --and ushered them to the boat ---

AI ----------give a reason for John leaving out Jesus telling them to get in the boat

John's narrative emphasizes the miracle of Jesus's walking on the water and the disciples' fear and eventual recognition of him, rather than focusing on the specific instructions of getting into the boat

I say ----So the rest of this is all about the Disciples Fear ---confusion ---wavering Faith and trusting in Jesus ----

The sea gets rough and the Disciples I would imagine find it hard to row the boat ---just my input here---
but in Mark 6----it tells us the rowing was hard

48 And having seen that they were troubled and tormented in [their] rowing, for the wind was against them, about the fourth watch of the night [between 3:00-6:00 a.m.] He came to them, walking [directly] on the sea. And He acted as if He meant to pass by them,

I say ----Jesus approaches the boat walking on the water ----the Disciples see Him and are immediately in Fear - --- I am sure it would be a shock to the system to see a figure walking on the water towards their boat ===

Just my input here
Fear in this world can protect you ----so worldly fear is seen as good --

But Fear in the Spiritual World is lack of trust in God ----Fear then comes not from God in the Spiritual sense but from Satan ----

Were the Disciples in Worldly Fear or Spiritual Fear that is the Question ?

So Jesus says ---It is I ---Do Not Be Afraid ---and they simmer down and He goes aboard the Boat

I say ------Jesus comes in our storms to bring us supernatural help and comfort --how good is that

When Jesus got in the boat another supernatural thing happened -----

verse 21 AMPC
And now the boat went at once to the land they had steered toward. [And immediately they reached the shore toward which they had been slowly making their way.]

it doesn't say they had to row to the shore -----they were divinely taken to the shore ----

Jesus rescued His Disciples from the Frustration of rowing the boat in a futile manner against the wind and rough sea

He took their burden away -----

When we are in trouble waters we who are God's children do not have to fear that our boat will sink ----as Jesus is always right there to pull us up and give us the strength and courage we need to get through the troubled sea we are in -----

 

[GordW]

It was dark ---I am sure the disciples who were fishermen would have been accustomed bring in their boat in the dark -----

One could just as easily say that people who lived on the water would know better than to go out on the water in the dark.

 

[paradox3]

Always interesting when there is more than one gospel account of the same event. I often enjoy comparing the different stories.

Coming into Good Friday and Easter, I am mindful that the four Gospels are not identical as they relate the events of the weekend.

The other approach is to ask why a particular writer (in this case, John) told the story in this particular way.

 

[paradox3]

One could just as easily say that people who lived on the water would know better than to go out on the water in the dark.

Yes, especially on a stormy night. On a calm night they might have been fine by moonlight.

In biblical times, there would have been much less light pollution from the shores than we have today.

 

[Jaebius]

Always interesting when there is more than one gospel account of the same event. I often enjoy comparing the different stories.

Coming into Good Friday and Easter, I am mindful that the four Gospels are not identical as they relate the events of the weekend.

The other approach is to ask why a particular writer (in this case, John) told the story in this particular way.

Each Gospel gives us a different take on Jesus’ story, adding lots of meaning. As we think about today and Easter, it’s pretty cool how these different accounts considered together show us more of God’s love.

I love how Matthew talks about fulfillment, Mark has that sense of urgency, Luke brings in compassion, and John focuses on a close relationship with God.

This season is a great time to really explore these stories and let each Gospel speak to us in its own way. Let’s share the message they combined give us and live as lights of hope

 

[paradox3]

We are going to use Mark for Good Friday and John for Easter.

Will switch up my bible reading for the next few days. Snoopy will probably return to this thread on Monday.

 

[Jaebius]

There are some that consider John 10 a parable.
Also the beginning of John's prologue is also considered a hymnal adaptation.

John's Gospel challenges us to penetrate beyond simplistic narrative and into Christ's heart. Though John 10 is not composed as a traditional parable, Jesus' words about the Good Shepherd have the same masterful storytelling.

And John's prologue is a masterpiece. It's regarded by many as hymnal, poetic, even liturgical. Whenever it's spoken, sung, or merely heard, its truth rings out across the centuries.

In the end, parable or poetry, the key is that it brings us to Jesus