Category:

Jesus’ Teaching

The Way of Truth

by Esther Griggs April 1, 2022

There were those who heard the words of Jesus and believed Him. However, believing in Jesus, is but the doorway to a very big house. In John 8:30-36, Jesus therefore, gives further instruction. This teaching began as He taught new believers how to be His disciples, the way of truth and a bit about slavery.

“I am the way, the truth and the life.” Jesus.

How to Be Disciples

Beyond believing lay discipleship. To be a disciple of Jesus required something. “If you abide in My word, you are my disciples,” Jesus taught them. Abiding implies a commitment. Read my word, make it your home, the key has turned, open the door, take off your shoes, put on your slippers and get comfortable. This is your new home. Your life will flow from here.

The Way of Truth

Jesus continued to teach, “It is in My word that you will find truth. The truth that you find will set you free.” Jesus is the incarnate Word. He identified Himself as being “the way, the truth and the life.” As His disciples, reading His word and allowing it entrance to their hearts, they would know the truth about God the Father and His Son Jesus. As the apostle Paul wrote in Romans 12:2, the word of God transforms as the mind is renewed. They would learn that for one, in Christ Jesus, sin would no longer be able to hold them captive.

A Bit About Slavery

When Jesus taught them how truth would set them free, they argued with Him. “We are Abraham’s descendants. We have never been in bondage to anyone.” My mind goes to the years they spent in slavery in Egypt. Perhaps they had forgotten. Jesus goes on to tell them that anyone who commits sin is a slave. They are slaves to sin. He tells them the difference between a slave and a son. A slave isn’t a part of the family. He is only there to do his duty with no other choice. A son on the other hand is a member of the family, in a relationship of love and commitment to one another. In God’s family, it was about living forever as a son. “If the Son makes you free, you are free indeed.”

The discussion continued as John records in verses 37-47 and then 48-59. This teaching began as He taught new believers how to be His disciples, the way of truth and a bit about slavery.

April 1, 2022 2 comments

The Father

by Esther Griggs March 25, 2022

written by Esther Griggs

The Father

Jesus teaches about His relationship with the Father. Everything He does, and is, comes from the Father. In John 8:21-29, the Jews continued to wonder about this man whose words confounded even the wise. When Jesus stated that He was going away, they questioned what it meant. Their natural eyes desired to see, but could not, for His words are spirit and life. Jesus, the Son of Man, spoke to them in this passage about His departure, their present condition and the Father.

**“I speak to the world the things which I heard from Him.”**

His Departure

Jesus told them He was going away. Then He added that they would look for Him and not be able to find Him because they couldn’t come to where He was going. To them it sounded like He might be planning His own demise. What else could He possibly be saying? Jesus at that point added how He differed from them.

Their Present Condition

They were of this world while He was not. A divide exists. Unless they put their faith in Him, they would die as sinners. As a result, they returned to the same question. “Who are You?” Until this question is settled, nothing changes.

The Father

Next, Jesus goes to the essence of His life and His message. The words I have spoken are not My own. I received them from the Father. There is nothing that I do of my own accord. Everything comes from the relationship with the Father. The Father taught Him the words to speak, then the Father sent Him, He never left Him alone, and everything Jesus did was to please the Father. “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself.”

The first verse of chapter 9 tells us that many believed when they heard these words. For Jesus, the Son of Man, spoke to them in this passage about His departure, their present condition and the Father.

March 25, 2022 1 comment

identity Jesus' Teaching

Jesus Was Accused

by Esther Griggs March 18, 2022

written by Esther Griggs

Jesus continued to teach in the synagogue and the Pharisees continued to resist Him. They based their lives on an earthly system built on laws and traditions, rather than building a relationship with God the Father. This resulted in missing Jesus as the Son of God. Because Jesus towered over them in His knowledge and understanding, they continually discredited Him. In this passage the Pharisees accused Jesus, Jesus responded to their accusations and yet He remained untouched.

Accused

The Pharisees clung to their understanding of the laws of Moses. This caused them to accuse Jesus of giving a false witness, or in more precise terms, they called Him a liar. In the law of Moses, God protected an individual accused of a sin and destined to be stoned. He did so by requiring two or three witnesses to the event. The Pharisees used this law to discredit Jesus. They said He was His own witness.

Jesus Responded

Despite the Pharisees accusing Him, Jesus did not coddle this group. He spoke truth without backing down. First, He answered their accusation by stating His knowledge of where He came from, and where He was going. He declared that His confidence in this alone gave adequate witness. Meanwhile, the rules holding them secure, blinded them, and kept them imprisoned in their sins.

Then He answered differently. Jesus declared, “I am not alone,” and “The Father is with Me.” Yes, the law states that the testimony of two is true. Jesus bears witness of Himself which is one, and the Father, the One who sent Him, is the other. Thereby the law of two witnesses is fulfilled.

Remains Untouched

Although Jesus spoke in such a manner to them, and stirred up their anger, He remained untouched. No one laid a hand on Him. John writes this phrase often, “for His hour had not yet come.” The Father held the life of Jesus in His hands. Jesus lived each day under His Father’s watchful eye and for His purpose. Although the Pharisees accused Jesus, Jesus responded to their accusations and yet He remained untouched.

March 18, 2022 1 comment

Jesus Encounters Jesus' Teaching

The Light of the World

by Esther Griggs March 11, 2022

written by Esther Griggs

John 8 begins “But Jesus.” Jesus lived a different life. When everyone else went home, He went to the Mt. of Olives. This place was significant to Jesus. It was a place of meeting God, even historically. King David (2 Sam. 15:30,32) had done so. Also, from this place His transfiguration would occur. In addition it was the place prophesied by Zephaniah to which He would return a second time. Jesus prepared Himself here with His Father. For this day, Jesus, the light of the World, teaches in the synagogue, deals with the scribes and Pharisees, and frees a woman from condemnation.

Teaches in the Synagogue

This passage tells us that early in the morning Jesus returned to the temple. Here the people came and Jesus taught them. Notice the position from which Jesus taught. He sat. It was as if He had all the time in the world, to explain to these people the things of God. They wanted to learn from this man who told them, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Deals with the Scribes and Pharisees

The Scribes and pharisees also followed Him. It wasn’t for His light. They wanted rather to trip Him up, to catch Him to accuse Him. They did not know that before them stood Jesus “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” If Jesus spoke against the law of Moses, they thought they could charge Him. However, Jesus, the light of the world saw into a person’s heart. When these Jewish leaders brought the woman caught in adultery, Jesus knew what they were about. He used the opportunity to teach them something. The sinless one could throw the first stone. None claimed to be such. They all, the eldest to the last one walked away. They had misjudged the light of the world.

Frees a Woman From Condemnation

Women in Jesus’ day were treated with little respect. Being caught in adultery was a crime where the law of Moses condemned both the man and woman to be put to death. Here Jesus elevates her. After dealing with the accusers, He takes the time to talk with her. Where are your accusers? Are none left to condemn you? Then He says, “Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.” He does not condemn, nor does He miss the opportunity to speak into her life. She had encountered the light of the world. She no longer needed to walk in darkness.

For this day, Jesus, the light of the World, teaches in the synagogue, deals with the scribes and Pharisees, and frees a woman from condemnation.

March 11, 2022 1 comment

Feast of Tabernacles Jesus' Teaching

Teaching at the Feast of Tabernacles

by Esther Griggs February 18, 2022

written by Esther Griggs

Jesus attended the festival of Tabernacles, after his brothers left. Because He knew He was in trouble with the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders, He went up quietly. Mid-festival, He taught at the synagogue. His teaching at the Feast of Tabernacles included lessons on the source of His doctrine, how to test His validity, and a lesson on judgement.

***“Jesus teaching at the Feast of Tabernacles”***

Lesson One: Source of His Doctrine

The first lesson was about doctrine. Jesus was the topic of much conversation among the Jewish people. He had raised their curiosity, and some saw Him as good, while others, saw Him as a deceiver. They all had their ideas, but they kept quiet. They were afraid of taking a stand because of the Jews. This man’s doctrine was controversial, but where did He get it? They knew He wasn’t an educated man, but He was a conundrum. In this lesson, Jesus explained that the doctrine was not His, but rather the doctrine of the One who sent Him.

Lesson Two: How to Test His Validity

The second lesson was how to test His validity. If you want to do the will of God, you will know whether or not what I speak is true. The truth of God already in their hearts would continue to lead them.

In addition, some people speak to make themselves appear righteous. It is about them. If someone is out to make God known, to make it about Him, then you know they are righteous. If their focus is on the glory of God, there is then no unrighteousness in such a one. Jesus was all about the Father.

Lesson Three: A Lesson on Judgement

His third lesson was on Judgement. The Jewish leaders were upset with Jesus because he healed a man on the Sabbath. In this lesson, Jesus confronted their keeping of the law of Moses.

Moses was a superstar to these people. He was the law-giver. Yet Jesus told them they didn’t keep the law, so why did they want to kill him? This was news to some of them. They told Jesus He had a demon.

Therefore Jesus referenced circumcision. He clarified for them that it really wasn’t from Moses but rather the fathers (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob). Circumcision was done on the eighth day. If the eighth day was the Sabbath, the boy was circumcised. This broke the law of the Sabbath in order to maintain the law of circumcision. However, when Jesus made a man completely whole on the Sabbath, it aroused their anger. Jesus told them to go deeper. Judge in righteousness, rather than concern for how things appear.

His teaching at the Feast of Tabernacles included lessons on the source of His doctrine, how to test His validity, and a lesson on judgement.

February 18, 2022 0 comment

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