Themes in the Gospel of John
Blessed Are Those Who Believe
Lesson #7 for November 16, 2024
Scriptures:John 8:54-58; 12:1-8; 19:4-22; 20:19-31; Genesis 12:3; Romans 4:1-5; Daniel 2; Daniel 7.
John 20:30-31: 30In his disciples’ presence Jesus performed many other miracles which are not written down in this book. 31But these have been written in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through your faith in him you may have life.—American Bible Society. (1992). The Holy Bible: The Good News Translation* (2nd ed.,John 20:30-31). New York: American Bible Society [abbreviated as Good News Bible].†‡
John 20:29: Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”—New King James Version.*†§
[From the Bible study guide=BSG:] Throughout his Gospel, John has a diversity of people—people with different backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences—all testifying to who Jesus was.
“ ‘Behold the Lamb of God!’ ” (John 1:36, NKJV). “ ‘We have found the Messiah’ ” (John 1:41, NKJV). “ ‘We have found Him of whom Moses . . . wrote’ ” (John 1:45, NKJV). “ ‘Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’ ” (John 1:49, NKJV). “ ‘Could this be the Christ?’ ” (John 4:29, NKJV). “ ‘We ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world’ ” (John 4:42, NKJV). “ ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life’ ” (John 6:68, NKJV). “ ‘I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world’ ” (John 11:27, NKJV). “ ‘Though I was blind, now I see’ ” (John 9:25, NKJV). “ ‘Behold your King!’ ” (John 19:14, NKJV). “ ‘I find no fault in Him’ ” (John 19:6, NKJV). “ ‘My Lord and my God!’ ” (John 20:28, NKJV).
Who were some of these people, and why did they testify as they did to the identity of Jesus?―Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* for Sabbath.‡§
[BSG:] Jesus was not shy in declaring who He was, nor in calling on witnesses to testify to who He was, even witnesses who were long gone, including Abraham. “ ‘Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad’ ” (John 8:56, NKJV).―Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* for Sunday, November 10.‡§
John 8:24: “That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. And you will die in your sins if you do not believe that ‘I Am Who I Am’. [sic] ”—Good News Bible.*†‡
John 8:28: So he said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, you will know that ‘I Am Who I Am’; then you will know that I do nothing on my own authority, but I say only what the Father has instructed me to say.”—Good News Bible.*†
John 8:58-59: 58 “I am telling you the truth,” Jesus replied. “Before Abraham was born, ‘I Am’. [sic] ”
59Then they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and left the Temple.—Good News Bible.*†‡ [This is straight from the great controversy!]‡
Genesis 12:3: [The Lord said to Abram/Abraham:] “I will bless those who bless you,
But I will curse those who curse you.
And through you I will bless all the nations.”—Good News Bible.*†‡
Galatians 3:8: The scripture predicted that God would put the Gentiles right with himself through faith. And so the scripture announced the Good News to Abraham: “Through you God will bless the whole human race.”—Good News Bible.*†
Hebrews 11:8,17-19: 8 It was faith that made Abraham obey when God called him to go out to a country which God had promised to give him. He left his own country without knowing where he was going….
17 It was faith that made Abraham offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice when God put Abraham to the test. Abraham was the one to whom God had made the promise, yet he was ready to offer his only son as a sacrifice. 18God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that you will have the descendants I promised.” 19Abraham reckoned that God was able to raise Isaac from death — and, so to speak, Abraham did receive Isaac back from death.—Good News Bible.*†
Romans 4:1-5: 1 What shall we say, then, of Abraham, the father of our race? What was his experience? 2If he was put right with God by the things he did, he would have something to boast about — but not in God’s sight. 3The scripture says, “Abraham believed God, and because of his faith God accepted him as righteous.” 4Those who work are paid wages, but they are not regarded as a gift; they are something that has been earned. 5But those who depend on faith, not on deeds, and who believe in the God who declares the guilty to be innocent, it is this faith that God takes into account in order to put them right with himself.—Good News Bible.*†
James 2:18-24: 18 But someone will say, “One person has faith, another has actions.” My answer is, “Show me how anyone can have faith without actions. I will show you my faith by my actions.” 19Do you believe that there is only one God? Good! The demons also believe — and tremble with fear. 20You fool! Do you want to be shown that faith without actions is useless? 21How was our ancestor Abraham put right with God? It was through his actions, when he offered his son Isaac on the altar. 22Can’t you see? His faith and his actions worked together; his faith was made perfect through his actions. 23And the scripture came true that said, “Abraham believed God, and because of his faith God accepted him as righteous.” And so Abraham was called God’s friend. 24You see, then, that it is by people’s actions that they are put right with God, and not by their faith alone.—Good News Bible.*† [This was the great controversy between Christ and Satan. Abraham was being tested in front of the entire universe. Was that similar to how Job was tested with the universe watching? (See Patriarchs and Prophets 155.)]‡
[BSG:]John 8:56 implies that Abraham was shown a revelation of the future Messiah. This divine disclosure of glorious hope was meant to serve as confirmation of God’s universal plan of salvation. Upon beholding this magnificent revelation, Abraham “rejoiced” and was “glad.” By contrast, the Jewish leaders needed no vision to see Christ’s day, for they saw Him and His mighty works in person. Instead of being joyous, as their father Abraham was, they were instead angry and ready to kill Him.
Moreover, Abraham was shown a practical application of that vision, which revealed the graphic plan of human redemption. Abraham served as a type of God the Father, and Isaac as a type of Jesus, God’s only Son…. Both Isaac and Jesus, without any objection, were willing to be the sacrifice. It is hard to believe that a strapping young man such as Isaac, in the prime of his youth, would be so obedient, even unto death. Abraham’s incredible faith, yet painful reluctance, in sacrificing his only son—the son of promise—typified the Father’s willingness to let Jesus die for humanity.
The main difference between Jesus and Isaac was the substitute that was provided for the latter. [Do you agree with that statement?] But nothing was provided for Jesus. Christ’s sacrifice was indeed to be the Substitute for us all. In shedding His blood, Jesus gave for our redemption His life and His righteousness, which no one else possessed.―Adult Teachers Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* 93-94.‡
John 12:1-8: 1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, the man he had raised from death. 2They prepared a dinner for him there, which Martha helped to serve; Lazarus was one of those who were sitting at the table with Jesus. 3Then Mary took half a litre [sic-Br] of a very expensive perfume made of pure nard, poured it on Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The sweet smell of the perfume filled the whole house. 4One of Jesus’ disciples, Judas Iscariot — the one who was going to betray him — said, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold for 300 silver coins and the money given to the poor?” 6He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. He carried the money bag and would help himself from it.
7 But Jesus said, “Leave her alone! Let her keep what she has for the day of my burial. 8You will always have poor people with you, but you will not always have me.”—Good News Bible.*†‡
[From the writings of Ellen G. White=EGW:] Those present, thinking of Lazarus, who had been raised from the dead by Christ, and who was at this time a guest in his uncle’s house, began to question, saying, “Who is this that forgiveth sins also?” But Christ continued, “Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”—Ellen G. White, Signs of the Times,* May 9, 1900, par. 15.†‡
[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p820.16693&index=0]‡
[EGW:] As did Nathan with David, Christ concealed His home thrust under the veil of a parable. He threw upon His host the burden of pronouncing sentence upon himself. Simon had led into sin the woman [his niece, Mary] he now despised. She had been deeply wronged by him. By the two debtors of the parable, Simon and the woman were represented. Jesus did not design to teach that different degrees of obligation should be felt by the two persons, for each owed a debt of gratitude that never could be repaid. But Simon felt himself more righteous than Mary, and Jesus desired him to see how great his guilt really was. He would show him that his sin was greater than hers, as much greater as a debt of five hundred pence exceeds a debt of fifty pence.—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages* 566.5.†‡
[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p130.2765&index=0]‡
[EGW:] Simon was touched by the kindness of Jesus in not openly rebuking him before the guests. He had not been treated [by Jesus] as he desired Mary to be treated. He saw that Jesus did not wish to expose his guilt to others, but sought by a true statement of the case to convince his mind, and by pitying kindness to subdue his heart. Stern denunciation would have hardened Simon against repentance, but patient admonition convinced him of his error. He saw the magnitude of the debt which he owed his Lord. His pride was humbled, he repented, and the proud Pharisee became a lowly, self-sacrificing disciple.—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages* 567.5.†‡
[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p130.2772&index=0]‡
[BSG:] The perfume was very expensive, worth about a year’s wages for the common laborer. Mary probably brought this gift as an expression of gratitude to the Savior for the forgiveness of her sins and for the resurrection of her brother. She intended it to be used someday for the burial of Jesus. But then she heard that He would soon be anointed King. In that case, she would be the first to bring Him honor.―Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* for Monday, November 11.†‡
[EGW:] The fragrant gift which Mary had thought to lavish upon the dead body of the Saviour [sic-Br] she poured upon His living form. At the burial its sweetness could only have pervaded the tomb; now it gladdened His heart with the assurance of her faith and love. Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus offered not their gift of love to Jesus in His life. With bitter tears they brought their costly spices for His cold, unconscious form. The women who bore spices to the tomb found their errand in vain, for He had risen. But Mary, pouring out her love upon the Saviour [sic-Br] while He was conscious of her devotion, was anointing Him for the burial. And as He went down into the darkness of His great trial, He carried with Him the memory of that deed, an earnest of the love that would be His from His redeemed ones forever.—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages* 560.2.†‡
[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p130.2735&index=0]‡
[BSG:] Jesus knew what was in the heart of Mary and the heart of Judas. He knows what’s in your heart, as well. What should this truth tell us about the need of Christ as our righteousness, transforming us and covering us, as well?―Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* for Monday, November 11.†‡
[BSG:] John has called upon many witnesses from every walk of life to testify that Jesus was the Christ. Now John calls upon Pilate, the governor who tried Jesus. This was an important testimony because Pilate was a Roman, a governor, and a judge; most of the other witnesses were Jews and commoners.―Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* for Tuesday.‡
[BSG:] Pilate had the Truth Himself standing before him and yet—allowing the mob to bully him—Pilate sentenced Jesus to death anyway! What a tragic example of not following what your conscience and heart tell you is correct!
What can we learn from Pilate’s example about the dangers of allowing popular sentiment, even pressure, to keep us from doing what we believe is right?―Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* for Tuesday, November 12.‡§
John 20:19-23: 19 It was late that Sunday evening, and the disciples were gathered together behind locked doors, because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities. Then Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 20After saying this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy at seeing the Lord. 21Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I send you.” 22Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive people’s sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”—Good News Bible.*
John 20:24-29: 24 One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (called the Twin), was not with them when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the scars of the nails in his hands and put my finger on those scars and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later the disciples were together again indoors, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands; then stretch out your hand and put it in my side. Stop your doubting, and believe!”
28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Jesus said to him, “Do you believe because you see me? How happy are those who believe without seeing me!”—Good News Bible.*†
[EGW:] Turning to Thomas He said, “Reach hither thy finger, and behold My hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and be not faithless, but believing.” These words showed that He was acquainted with the thoughts and words of Thomas. The doubting disciple knew that none of his companions had seen Jesus for a week. They could not have told the Master of his unbelief. He recognized the One before him as his Lord. He had no desire for further proof. His heart leaped for joy, and he cast himself at the feet of Jesus crying, “My Lord and my God.”
Jesus accepted his acknowledgment, but gently reproved his unbelief: “Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” The faith of Thomas would have been more pleasing to Christ if he had been willing to believe upon the testimony of his brethren. Should the world now follow the example of Thomas, no one would believe unto salvation; for all who receive Christ must do so through the testimony of others.
Many who are given to doubt excuse themselves by saying that if they had the evidence which Thomas had from his companions, they would believe. They do not realize that they have not only that evidence, but much more. Many who, like Thomas, wait for all cause of doubt to be removed, will never realize their desire. They gradually become confirmed in unbelief. Those who educate themselves to look on the dark side, and murmur and complain, know not what they do. They are sowing the seeds of doubt, and they will have a harvest of doubt to reap. At a time when faith and confidence are most essential, many will thus find themselves powerless to hope and believe.—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages* 807.3-808.0.†‡
[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p130.3970&index=0]‡
[EGW:] God never asks us to believe, without giving sufficient evidence upon which to base our faith. His existence, His character, the truthfulness of His word, are all established by testimony that appeals to our reason; and this testimony is abundant. Yet God has never removed the possibility of doubt. Our faith must rest upon [the adequate] evidence [provided], not [irrefutable] demonstration. Those who wish to doubt will have opportunity; while those who really desire to know the truth will find plenty of evidence on which to rest their faith.—Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ* 105.2.†‡
[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p108.424&index=0]‡
[BSG:] It seems that whatever it takes to help us believe, He is willing to provide. He meets us where we are—in our despair, discouragement, or doubt.
John often deals with the topic of doubt in his writings. When he wrote his Gospel, he was confronting discouraged church members who were challenged by Gnostic heresies about the reality of Christ. In John’s day, as in ours, there were those who chose not to believe because they did not see all the evidence they desired, be it scientific or philosophical.―Adult Teachers Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* 95.‡
[BSG:] Imagine having been there, in person, in the flesh, and having seen Jesus do many of these miracles. We’d certainly believe, wouldn’t we? We’d like to think so; but, in some ways, we have even more reasons to believe in Jesus than did those who actually saw the miracles.
Why?
What are some of the things that we have today that those living at the time of Jesus didn’t have that should help us believe? (See, for example,Matt. 24:2,Matt. 24:14,Matt. 24:6–8.)―Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* for Thursday, November 14.†‡§
[BSG:] All during the life and ministry of Jesus, His following remained a small and harassed group of men and women who, by all human standards, should have vanished from history a long time ago. How could they have known, as we do, that all these things would come to pass? And they have. In fact, our own faith itself exists as a fulfillment of Jesus’ own prophecy that the gospel would go to all the world.―Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* for Thursday, November 14.‡
[BSG:] Jesus is indeed the greatest witness to His own divinity and divine mission. Repeatedly and tirelessly, He endeavored to open the eyes and hearts of the intellectual and rich classes. The Savior greatly desired those who doubted to consider the obvious evidence about Himself. He ardently yearned for them to believe and be saved, though it was often to no avail. How often many of us wish to see and hear Jesus in person! But had we lived during the earthly ministry of Christ and seen all the evidence He presented, would we have believed?―Adult Teachers Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* 96.†‡
Matthew 12:39-40: 39 “How evil and godless are the people of this day!” Jesus exclaimed. “You ask me for a miracle? No! The only miracle you will be given is the miracle of the prophet Jonah. 40In the same way that Jonah spent three days and nights in the big fish, so will the Son of Man spend three days and nights in the depths of the earth.”—Good News Bible.*
[EGW:] When the voice of the mighty angel was heard at Christ’s tomb, saying, Thy Father calls Thee, the Saviour [sic-Br] came forth from the grave by the life that was in Himself. Now was proved the truth of His words, “I lay down My life, that I might take it again.... I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.” Now was fulfilled the prophecy He had spoken to the priests and rulers, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”John 10:17, 18; 2:19.—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages* 785.2.†‡
[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p130.3866&index=0]‡
Acts 6:7: And so the word of God continued to spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew larger and larger, and a great number of priests [mostly Saduccees] accepted the faith.—Good News Bible.*‡
Acts 15:5: But some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and told to obey the Law of Moses.”—Good News Bible.*†
[EGW:] Having made the decision [to proceed with the plan that included His death], He [Jesus] fell dying to the ground from which He had partially risen….
The worlds unfallen and the heavenly angels had watched with intense interest as the conflict drew to its close. Satan and his confederacy of evil, the legions of apostasy, watched intently this great crisis in the work of redemption.… In this awful crisis, when everything was at stake, when the mysterious cup trembled in the hand of the sufferer, the heavens opened, a light shone forth amid the stormy darkness of the crisis hour, and the mighty angel who stands in God’s presence, occupying the position from which Satan fell, came to the side of Christ. The angel came not to take the cup from Christ’s hand, but to strengthen Him to drink it, with the assurance of the Father’s love. He came to give power to the divine-human suppliant. He pointed Him to the open heavens, telling Him of the souls that would be saved as the result of His sufferings. He assured Him that His Father is greater and more powerful than Satan, that His death would result in the utter discomfiture of Satan, and that the kingdom of this world would be given to the saints of the Most High. He told Him that He would see of the travail of His soul, and be satisfied, for He would see a multitude of the human race saved, eternally saved.—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages* 693.1-3.†‡ [Did Satan hear that?]‡
[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p130.3395&index=0]‡
Acts 16:30-31: [After the earthquake, the jailer asked:] 30 “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31They answered, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — you and your family.”—Good News Bible.*‡
©2024, Kenneth Hart, MD, MA, MPH. Permission is hereby granted for any noncommercial use of these materials. Free distribution of all or of a portion of this material such as to a Bible study class is encouraged. *Electronic version. †Bold type is added. ‡Brackets and content in brackets are added. §Italic type is in the source. [sic-Br]=This is correct as quoted; it is the British spelling.
Last Modified: September 9, 2024 Email: Info@theox.org
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