Day 271. 28th September Bible Commentary With Dr. Toyin Ojo Taken From The Book Of Matthew.
IN A CONVERSATION WITH JESUS
You may be best described as Nicodemus – a public leader or the woman of Samaria (a woman that had married five husbands in the course of her existence on earth) or you may just be somewhere in between. Yet if Jesus were in London, Lancashire, Agege, Surulere, Bali, Roosevelt Island, NYC, or Ethiopia and you were there he would talk to you. He may in fact ask you for water!
JOHN 31-36
A conversation with Jesus.
Nicodemus – A public leader and recognized teacher in Israel befriends Jesus, believing in him, thus questions him and Jesus guided his thoughts. It was surprising that Nicodemus could not grasp the teaching of Jesus. And Jesus stressed the importance of being BORN AGAIN. And that involves being born of water and the Spirit (v.3,5). The earthly and the heavenly. This enables mankind to see and enter the kingdom of God.
Being born of the spirit is often after the confession of sins and expressed faith in Christ. And because it is of the wind you may or may not see it but it happens to you (it comes to you). The most popular experience is an overwhelming peace felt / an inner witness or the baptism of the Holy Spirit – speaking in an unknown tongue; sometimes the language of angels and sometimes the language understood by some other nationality. It, therefore, depends on the gift(s) the holy spirit endows you with. Which could grow, change, and or evolve.
FACTS:
- THE SON OF MAN - SALVATION COMES THROUGH HIM - As Moses lifted the bronze snake to save perishing Israel: so our exalted savior grants us eternal life because we believe in him (v.14-15).
- "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" v.16. God sent him to save not to condemn (v.17).
VERDICT❕
Jesus gives a verdict “Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Every one that does evil hates the light, and will not come to the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it might be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.” V.19-21.
Many who oppose Christianity do so not because they truly disbelieve the gospel of Christ but they fear exposure, receiving forgiveness and redemption involves confession. Here is my recommendation – Go look for a Catholic Church, the priest does not see your face! However, it is very important that you are genuine and are never going back to your vomit – your old ways. When you feel comfortable you could find another church. Can you dare to leave by the truth? (See v.21 above)
JOHN ALLOWS JESUS THE LEAD
The people were becoming jealous for John because Jesus had begun to baptize people, but John confirms Jesus is from above. And he (John) is not the Messiah but the forerunner –
“He must become greater. And I must become less. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” V.30,36.
- The church is haunted in growth because it is using the same parameters as the world. The same value system.
- John could have allowed competition/rivalry/ instigation to damage his purpose on earth.
JOHN 41-38
JESUS DELEGATES
Jesus delegated the baptism of converts to his disciples and his disciples increased. At this, the Pharisees began questioning his growth which had superseded John’s followership. So he left for Galilee and had a stopover at Samaria like us – being human - he was famished.
THE SAMARITAN WOMAN
Sat by the well, he asked the Samaritan woman for water to drink (Jesus has good social skills). And they got talking. He told her he could give her living water and she would thirst no more (v.10-15).
He revealed to her she had five husbands… (Read v.16-18).
Jesus told her some facts we must all have at our fingertips:
- You can worship your God anywhere (you need not go to the mountain or Jerusalem (Church/ a building). v.21.
- God seeks true worshippers – they are those who worship the Father in Spirit and in truth. v.23.
- God is a Spirit. (v.24).
She told him his saying were too hard for her, but like many, she was expecting the Messiah (Christ) and he will teach them these things. And Jesus replied “I AM HE” v.26.
At this instance, his disciples who went to KFC / Mr Biggs brought him some food and wondered at their conversation but didn’t question him (v.27). They offered him food but Christ who had journeyed on foot and was famished said he was refreshed and satisfied already - for he had won a soul.
“'My food,'" said Jesus "is to do the will of him who sends me and to finish his work.”' v.34. And he told them the principle in parables (v.35-38).
HE TOLD ME EVERYTHING I DID❕
The woman hurried into the town inviting all peoples “Come and see” – and many Samaritans believed – they became believers.
“They said to the woman we no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” v.42.
They persuaded him to stay, and he was there 2 days.
AT GALILEE (v.43-45)
“A prophet has no honor in his own country” v.44
Jesus was welcomed because they had witnessed the signs at the Passover Festival which he did. (v.43-45).
LUKE 319-20
Herold imprisoned John the Baptist. Because John had confronted him with his sins. Even his marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife.
Many for fear of this kind of persecution refrain from speaking the truth, rebuking, and or correcting sinners, ungodliness, and societal ills. This kind of fear ensnares the believer/church.
©️ 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Dr. Toyin Ojo
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