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  • About the Author John – a story from Zebedee

    About the Author John – a story from Zebedee

    We have again been working through the Gospel of John with specific focus on the Trinity of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Before moving on to more signs of Jesus as the Messiah, I thought it appropriate to take a brief look at the Gospel’s author John.

    About the Author John

    In a larger sense the Author of Scripture is always the Lord God and specifically the Gospel author John refers to Jesus as, “the Word,” in effect crediting the Lord Jesus for Scripture.

    The Good News of the author John and three other Gospel writers is that Jesus IS the Messiah of God, fulfillment of the Lord’s promise to redeem Israel.

    John’s Gospel differs some from those of the Apostle Matthew, another Jewish author, and that of two gentile author’s, John Mark and Luke. (God-willing I may share more about these Gospel authors at a later time in separate posts.)

    a First century story

    I would like to relate a story to you which involves the author John, who wrote not only the Gospel, but three letters and the Revelation (or Apocalypse) of the New Testament. But first let’s consider the genre of my story to follow.

    Fiction or Nonfiction?

    Although we step away from the Bible and specifically the Gospel for a moment, I have crafted the following “biography” to make you think.

    You might ask of any story, a classic novel, Scripture or a television script: ‘Is it true?’ That is, does this story I’m reading, hearing or seeing represent reliable truth? Is it nonfiction or is it (at least in part) fiction?

    “Fiction or nonfiction,” we may ask thoughtfully?

    If Scripture is true, then our only conclusion must be that the Bible is ‘nonfiction;’ therefore our compelling question must address God’s will, “How should I apply these truths?”

    Roger Harned – talkofJesus.com

    I caution however of entertainment which claims ‘authoritative’ speculation that misleads the masses into false and dangerous applications. Just one example would be “The History Channel.”

    We naturally assume anything claiming history or science to be a reliable true source of researched fact. Yet what about a fantastical speculation proclaiming possibility of “Ancient Aliens,” which invades our thinking as pure fiction with no basis in fact?

    Many writers of supposed ‘scientific fact’ place such nonsensical fiction in the same speculative category as they do the Bible. Their heretical premise implies that God does not exist anymore than ancient aliens do (therefore both are fiction). These authors create gods of their own making, denying the glory of the Living God.

    Of course not all fiction denies the truth and historicity of Christ. Thankfully some fiction pursues a higher calling to give us insight into the historical men and women of the Bible, or even the true nature of faith following the Lord Jesus as a true Christian. Perhaps one of the best of these would be John Bunyan’s “The Pilgrim’s Progress.”

    Historical Fiction

    If a story, i.e. nonfiction, doesn’t qualify as fact, then what kind of fiction is it?

    Some stories illustrate imagined or actual characteristics of historical characters who actually existed. One example might be the story of George Washington chopping down the cherry tree. (Certainly you can think of others.)

    I would caution that many such stories have hidden agendas often opposed to the Lord God. So a story may pose as historical fiction when in fact it is not historical in any way (other than taking the name of its lead character in vain).

    Some so-called ‘christian’ cults would have you believe that Jesus was nothing more than a character in the historical fiction of the New Testament of the Bible. It’s also important here to point out that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is NOT a “historical fiction,” acknowledging that Jesus was real and did exist in the first century, while denying Christ’s deity.

    No deception of the devil will lead your soul astray more than this lie against the saving Son of the Most High! Many will concede and even preach the existence of Jesus, without worshiping Him as Lord.

    A Father of Thunder

    The following story hopefully will illustrate a helpful perspective as historical fiction from the first century A.D.

    Although based on the characters discussed, including the author John, this fictional account is not intended to provide evidence for John’s Gospel, but to provide circumstance into its writing by the author John.

    Sea of Galilee earth view as point between Italy on the Mediterranean and northern seas to Egypt to the south and lands to India in the east.
    Israel & Sea of Galilee – crossroads of cultures and trade

    And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?

    Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life:

    but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons…

    Deuteronomy 4:8-9 KJV

    Introduction

    Men call me Bonerges for my thunderous commands they hear ‘mongst my fleet on the Galilee.

    satellite view of of north end of the Sea of Galilee
    Sea of Galilee at inlet of Jordan River in the north

    I thank the LORD for my blessings and that of my boisterous leadership, but mostly I call out for the supply of my business. Though faithful to the LORD in every area of my life as a Jew, I am no hammer upon the anvil of Israel’s hard-forged apostasy.

    Now that my double blessing of sons join my fleet as young men of God, I must teach them not only of fishing but of the leading of men.

    The LORD made me a man of modest means, so now I may send them to any man of God of my choosing to learn more of the LORD’s will for their lives. It’s not so simple though; for our life as Jews in the land which was once Israel had never been simple since Solomon.

    Whether here in Bethsaida or on journeys to Jerusalem (also never the same again) all we seem to argue is how the LORD wants us to follow in a strange land which was once our own.

    I should even say it was once HIS, but is no more. God help us.

    Ahh, who would have thought that Israel could become a land which is not ours or the Lord’s?

    (the second Law) דברים

    We are sons of Moses; I have been praying on this Scripture.

    Where shall I send my sons to learn the faith of our fathers? 

    “Give ear, O heavens, and let me speak;
     And let the earth hear the words of my mouth.
    “For I proclaim the name of the LORD;
     Ascribe greatness to our God!

    וַיֹּ֗אמֶר אַסְתִּ֤ירָה פָנַי֙ מֵהֶ֔ם אֶרְאֶ֖ה מָ֣ה אַחֲרִיתָ֑ם כִּ֣י דֹ֤ור תַּהְפֻּכֹת֙ הֵ֔מָּה בָּנִ֖ים לֹא־אֵמֻ֥ן בָּֽם׃

    “Then He said, ‘I will hide My face from them,
    I will see what their end shall be;
    For they are a perverse generation,
    Sons in whom is no faithfulness.

    from the song of Moses – Deuteronomy 32:(1,3,)20 WLC;NASB

    What is the will of the Lord God for my sons James and John?

    To be continued...

  • God’s Love Through John: Jesus Loves You

    NEW: Introduction to September 2018 series on talkofJesus.com Christian Social Witness by Roger Harned. 

    God’s Love Through John: Jesus Loves You is one of several series & more than 650 searchable posts published since 2013 . Please add your comments & share via social media.  Blessings. Roger

    John, Messenger of God’s Love

    This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. – John 21:24
    True? You could ask to know about the Lord God or about the Messiah Christ Jesus, but some will always ask of the Gospel, “Who says?” It’s a fair question, since many deceivers have gone out into the world making false claims about God. For our best answer we need to think of John in two entirely different contexts. First as the youngest Apostle of Jesus Christ and lastly, much later as an Elder. The one testifying to the Truth is the last surviving Disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.

    Who is John and why does he give us Good News about Christ Jesus?

    Our visualization of Jesus and John shows an unparalleled love of a father or teacher for His nearest follower. Therefore, we cannot think of John without thinking of love in the Person of Christ Jesus. John, son of Zebedee and his older brother James, son of Zebedee, both follow Jesus, as do Simon Peter and others. ‘Zebedee and Sons’ could have been the sign for their family fishing business. Simon also made his living as fishermen, perhaps even as a foreman for Zebedee and sons.
    And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men. Mark 1:17

    His Closest Friends

    Who knows Jesus best among the Disciples? And which Disciple remains nearest to the rabbi who claims to be the Truth? His inner circle, comprised of Peter, James and John. True to the nature of the Lord, Jesus chooses humble followers. This Disciple is humble like Moses and a young man like the anointed David. This younger son of Zebedee the fisherman fits the role of an eager servant who loves his Lord and Master.
    Young John learns the heart of Jesus and shares his love with us.
    So the Lord calls these managers of a Galilean fishing cooperative to become ‘fishers of men.’ He includes Peter, James and John the younger brother in His inner circle of the Twelve. The gospels also reveal that Salome, mother of John and James, followed Jesus. They all love Christ Jesus with an interpersonal familial love.

    The Great Commission of Love

    One of his disciples, the one Jesus loved, was reclining close beside Jesus. – John 13:23
    Jesus then asks of His friends:
    “As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love. – John 15:9
    After Jesus’ crucifixion and death all of them return home to their fishing business.
    The disciple, the one Jesus loved, said to Peter, “It is the Lord! ”
    John 21:7 
    When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tied his outer clothing around him (for he had taken it off) and plunged into the sea. – John 21:7 John would have still been a young man and Simon Peter alive, of course, before the days of his own martyrdom.

    Evidence of Truth

    The truth and testimony of John’s Good News would have been recorded over several years during his own ministry well into old age.
    Most scholars say it was written in the early 90’s. This means that the time span between the original writing of John and its earliest copy (fragment) is approximately 35-45 years. Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry
    The writer of the gospel of John was obviously an eyewitness of the events of Christ’s life since he speaks from a perspective of having been there during many of the events of Jesus’ ministry and displays a good knowledge of Israeli geography and customs. The John Rylands papyrus fragment 52 of John’s gospel dated in the year 125-135 contains portions of John 18, verses 31-33,37-38. This fragment was found in Egypt. It is the last of the gospels and appears to have been written in the 80’s to 90’s.

    John, Letters from the Elder

    XVI. John The “beloved disciple,” was brother to James the Great. The churches of Smyrna, Pergamos, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea, and Thyatira, were founded by him. From Ephesus he was ordered to be sent to Rome, where it is affirmed he was cast into a cauldron of boiling oil. He escaped by miracle, without injury. Domitian afterwards banished him to the Isle of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. Nerva, the successor of Domitian, recalled him. He was the only apostle who escaped a violent death. Fox’s Book of Martyrs
    John’s three letters to the churches he fathers [mentioned above] are thought to have been written around in about AD 65, some than thirty years after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Research [cited above] indicates that John’s Gospel, recorded on scrolls over a period of years, was likely completed later than John’s letters. Prior to completion of his Gospel, letters would have been delivered to each church (in modern day Turkey). They in turn would be read to the congregation then delivered to the next church on the evangelical circuit. When you want a brief, partial explanation of the Gospel the Disciple John, look to any of his letters.  His letters convey the same great hope through the love of Christ Jesus, sometimes in the very words John later with record in his Gospel.

    Christ will have the last Word

    Île de Patmos, 1854 de Ivan Aivazovsky
    Île de Patmos, 1854 de Ivan Aivazovsky 
    The Revelation of Jesus Christ to John may have been written as late as the year 100, when John may have been 70-80 years old.
    Jan Massijs – The Apocalypse of Saint John the Evangelist (1563)
    I ask you, what demonstration of God’s love could be more encouraging to those who suffer for our faith than witnessing His judgment of evil? John encourages believers in the churches, the same believers he had encouraged by letter. Yet he also warns against many sins. Consequently those who suffer read of a terrible apocalypse to come! For they will be saved by the Lamb of God.
    4:4 After this I looked, and there in heaven was an open door. The first voice that I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”
    An Elder in heaven converses with John, encouraging believers who have been wronged. Revelation 7:14 Then he told me: These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
    He will guide them to springs of living waters, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. The Revelation of Jesus Christ to John 7:17b HCSV
    God IS love. Jesus loves. John is the Disciple of love who best conveys God’s own love for you, for me and for those yet to be born again in spirit.

    God’s Love Through John: Jesus Loves You To be continued…

  • Credentials for Christ

    Credentials for Christ

    It seems I am unqualified by all measures for employment in the service of Christ.

    I have no Doctor of Divinity. I’ve never been on a church staff or even served time as a youth pastor. My vocations have been beyond the walls of the church in the everyday lives of common men. My family life has been less than exemplary and my pedigree is more related to the place where I came from than my zeal for the Lord.

    (And after all, why would your church hire a tent maker to answer phones or schedule your meetings?)

    Suppose your church needs some help with its important ministry. You draw up a job description (which we will get to later) and a man applies with credentials not suited to what you had in mind. In fact, his resume reads like he was either paid to work by some rather ungodly organizations or volunteer to learn pastoring from some rather hypocritical religious types.

    Saul of Tarsus

    Paul and Aquilla tent makersResume:

    Occupation: Tent maker

    1. a lesser known Christian you may not have heard of
    2. a former corrupt tax collector
    3. a former boat owner and hot-headed sailor

    Roman-Provincia_SyriaOkay, our search committee doesn’t particularly agree that this guy from Tarsus of Cilicia is a good fit.

    How about a local candidate who fascinates our religious and political rulers? He has a religious following of his own and good teaching credentials. Let’s go hear a sermon of his. (Maybe he will join our staff.)

    7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them,

    viper“You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

    Alright, maybe this Baptizer is not the best guy for our seeker-friendly church. (Too bad we can’t find a faithful minister like those proven Prophets of the Old Testament.)

    When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?” – 1 Kings 18:17Elijah reward

    On the other hand, Elijah was opposed to the leaders of Israel. The King sought to kill him. Besides, Stephen, who Saul had heard testify, had asked:

    Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute?

    NO. I don’t think our Pastor wants a Prophet in the pews. Forget a guy like John the Baptist greeting our newcomers. Matthew and all government officials are definitely out of contention. An unemployed fisherman who is ready to draw the sword at the first sign of opposition won’t work. (And who ever heard of this reference, Ananias, other than this Saul of Tarsus candidate?)

    Choosing ministers for the work of the church is not as easy as we might think.

    So what are the qualifications?

    A first qualification is from the Lord:

    “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” – John 3

    A Christ follower and leader of the church must be changed. (Have we even asked or witnessed evidence of the Holy Spirit?)

    Returning to the record of scripture, we know, of course that Paul was appointed by Christ Jesus and approved by Peter.

    After many years of preaching, teaching and persecution, the Apostle Paul instructs the church by pastoral letters to other church leaders.

    1 Timothy

    5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

    Pray for All People

    2 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

    Qualifications for Overseers

    3 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable,able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

    Qualifications for Deacons

    8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

    NOT qualified

    Who then may be qualified?

    Not that we are sufficient  of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

    Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

    Second letter of Paul to the Corinthians 2:3:5-6 KJV

    Grace: such a loving kindness of the Lord.

    It is only by the grace of Christ Jesus that any man should serve the church in obedience to the will of the Lord. It is by grace that we are saved. It is by grace we should be called to lead. It is by grace that through our own acts of mercy and grace that another soul might come to know the surpassing grace of Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

    By grace and discernment of Christ’s love we humbly draw near as a church of forgiven souls seeking to share the Gospel of the grace of the Cross of Christ Jesus. May the Lord lead us with an open heart and willing walk to follow those who walk alongside our church in the roles of leadership.

    Peace, grace and mercy be with you, beloved brother, dear sister in the Lord.