Are You Found?

N.T.#693 "Are You Found?"

Dec. 12, 2025 

John 1-Part 11 

LET IT GLOW 

Since I have gotten older, I seem to loose things more often, thinking I put them where I can find them. So I turn to Jesus, because He is all knowing. Yep. Jesus helps me find things, for which I am grateful. I wonder if He smiles when I ask for help. I tend to tell Him it is me again, looking for something.

So far, Andrew and Simon Peter, along with James and John became Jesus' disciples. (Matt. 4:18-22) Then Jesus wanted to go to Bethsaida, which was along the Sea of Galilee. It was the home of the two fishermen Jesus had called to follow Him. It was about a 3 day walk from Jerusalem for them. (Peter lived at Capernaum, the next village, but he and Andrew may have grown up in Bethsaida.) 

At Bethsaida, Jesus invited Philip to follow Him, become a disciple. Meeting Jesus had an effect on Philip, since he immediately went out and found his friend Nathanael, sitting under a fig tree. Philip told him about meeting the Messiah, the One which Moses and the prophets wrote about. What an effect Jesus had on Philip. It didn't take long for him to be a witness of Jesus. (verses 43-45)

Are we sharing Jesus with our friends and family during this time of year?

LET IT GROW

How did Nathanael react to Philip's message? 

Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, come and see. (verse 46)

What happened next?

• Jesus described Nate as an Israelite in whom is no guile when seeing him. (verse 47)
• Also, Jesus told Nate that Philip found him under a fig tree. 
• Nathanael asked Jesus how He knew him. 
• Jesus answered, "Before Philip called thee when under the fig tree, I saw thee." (verse 48)
• Jesus reveals the penetrating eye of deity. (Falwell)
• Nathanael proclaims Jesus to be the Son of God, King of Israel. (verse 49)
• Because Nate believed, he would see greater things than these. (Jesus told him.) (verse 50)
• They would see as Jacob's ladder, the angels ascending and descending upon Christ. He is the Ladder between God and man since Jesus is the Son of God and the Son of man. (verses 49 and 51)

Not only did Jesus know Nathanael's character, where he was found by Philip, but also what Nate had been thinking. Nate had been thinking about Jacob's ladder while under the fig tree. Jacob had dreamed about such a ladder with angels going up and down on it from earth to heaven.

Jesus is our bridge between heaven and earth. He is the way to heaven. No one comes to Father God except through Jesus. (John 14:6)

Nathanael overcame his skepticism; have you?

John gives us 5 times found (to locate by searching) is used here:

• Andrew found Simon, claiming to have found the Messiah.(verse 41)
• Jesus found Philip. (verse 43)
• Philip found Nathanael, claiming to have found the Messiah. (verse 45)

Dear one, have you found Jesus as your Savior?

LET IT GO

Draw us by faith to You, Jesus.

Help those doubters to let go of any doubt and believe in You, the Son of God.

Is God Calling You?

N.T.#692 "Is God Calling You?"

Dec. 11, 2025 

John 1-Part 10  after 

LET IT GLOW

When the Holy spirit calls you to salvation in Jesus, do not put it off. I was attending a Vacation Bible School at a different church when the Lord first spoke my heart. I put off salvation a couple of years. It took the death of a classmate and friend to show me death could come at age 16. I realized that I was headed to hell without Jesus.  I surrendered to Jesus one night in my bed. I didn't know the right words, but He knew my heart. Friend, have you surrendered to Jesus as your Savior?

We have read about Andrew and John being followers of John the Baptist when they encountered Jesus. They spent the night with Jesus, of which I wonder what questions they asked the Messiah, the Son of God. Did they examine Him more closely because of John's testimony-Jesus is the Lamb of God?

Eventually, they dedicated their lives to Jesus as true disciples and apostles when He called them to permanent service after these events. At this point John the Baptist fades from the scene and attention focuses upon the ministry of Christ. (MacArthur)

Andrew went to Simon Peter to tell him they had found the Messiah. Whenever Simon encountered Jesus, Jesus changed his name to Peter. It was upon this rock (Peter) that Jesus would build His church.

In Matthew 4 and Mark 1, we find Peter and Andrew back at their job of fishing. Then Jesus said to them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. (Matt. 4:19)

How did the two men react? Straighway they left their nets and followed Jesus. (Matt. 4:19)

Straightway means at once or soon; immediately.

Jesus wanted Peter and Andrew to be part of His ministry and His disciples. Are we obedient to the calling of Jesus on our life?

LET IT GROW

Have you noticed that John did not tell about his calling to the kingdom work? 

Matthew 4:21 tells us about it. John and his brother James were fishing with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Then Jesus called them, too. 

And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed Him. (Matt. 4:22)

Those 4 men responded by faith to Jesus' calling upon their lives and His lordship. 

When the Spirit calls you to salvation, do it immediately. 

LET IT GO

Help us let go of pride and surrender to You, Jesus, today.

Come and See

N.T.#691 "Come and See"

Dec. 10, 2025 

John 1-Part 9 

LET IT GLOW

Have you been curious as to whom Jesus is? So were two men in our reading today.

John wrote about 4 consecutive days as he observed John the Baptist and events during those days:

Day 1: John admitted he was not the Messiah. (verse 19)

Day 2: He identified Jesus as the Messiah. (verse 29)

Days 3 and 4: Jesus called His first 5 disciples. (verses 35-43)

John the Baptist was with two of his disciples, Andrew and John the author, when John the Baptist pointed to Jesus and proclaimed Him to be the Lamb of God.  Andrew and John trailed after Jesus. He asked the two what their intentions were. Were they desiring to become Jesus' disciples/followers? Apparently so, since they asked where Jesus was staying. 

Jesus accepted Andrew and John since He told them to come and see. The two did so and stayed with Jesus that night. We don't know what Jesus taught or revealed to the two. 

Who do we seek?

When Jesus bids us to come and see, do we? 

LET IT GROW

Andrew must have been excited to have found Jesus because he went 70 miles north of Jerusalem to share the Good News with his fisherman brother Simon (later named Peter). Simon owned a fishing enterprise in Galilee. Maybe Simon was nearby visiting the Temple in Jerusalem. We aren't told for sure where Simon was at that time. At any rate, Andrew announced that he had found the Messiah, the Christ, and brought his brother to see Jesus. 

Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. (verse 42)

Simon's new name would be Kepha, which means rock in Aramaic; Cephas in Greek and Petros/Peter meaning stone in Greek. (Swindoll)

We can read how God used Peter later in his life for kingdom work. Peter did not know what lie ahead of him. 

Jesus saw people not as what they were, but as who they would ultimately become. The same is true today for you and me. 

LET IT GO

What do you need to let go when coming to Jesus?

Has He changed your heart?

 

The Lamb of God

N.T.#690 "The Lamb of God"

Dec. 9, 2025 

John 1-Part 8 

LET IT GLOW

Probably I have mentioned before that our granddaughter showed lambs at the county fair for several years. I have observed the lambs and have concluded that they are teachable, vulnerable, and sweet animals to be around. They can be taught to follow the owner without a halter, eat in a particular pen, hold a stance during judging, stand still during sheering (most of the time), and trust their master. 

We have a Lamb who can be trusted, provides for us, leads us, protects us. Is He your Sacrificial Lamb?

In verses 29-36, how does John the Baptist describe Jesus? (When a phrase or word is mentioned at least twice, it not worthy.)

• Twice John the Baptist proclaimed Jesus to be the Lamb of God. (verses 29. 36) He was a lamb without spot or blemish, lived a perfect life-sinless.
• He said that Jesus takes away the sin of the world. We receive forgiveness when we confess our sin to Jesus and ask His forgiveness. (verse 29)
• John says twice that he knew not Jesus. (verses 31, 33) Probably John knew Jesus just as a cousin. God had not revealed Jesus' identity as Messiah until this time. 
• John knew that Jesus existed before him, saying it three times, although Jesus' ministry was after John's. (verses 15, 27, 30) 
• John said he was unworthy to untie Jesus' sandals. (verse 27)
• John baptized in water, which he mentions 3 times. (verses 26, 31, 33)
• John saw the Spirit descend upon Jesus like a dove and abode with Him. (verse 32) God told John this would happen; and Jesus would baptize with the Holy Ghost. (verse 33)

In the Old Testament, the sacrificial system required a perfect lamb to be slaughtered in place of the people, so their sins could be cover with its blood. Jesus is our Sacrificial Lamb that takes away our sins by shedding HIs blood on the cross. He lived a perfect life and did not deserve such treatment.

LET IT GROW

In conclusion, John the Baptist's testimony of Christ Jesus is that He is the Son of God. (verse 34)

Friend, do you believe this is truth?

The Holy Spirit comes upon all believers, empowering them to live and to teach the message of salvation. This happened after Jesus had risen from the dead and ascended into heaven. (20:22; Acts 2)

[Life Application Study Bible]

Looking at John's life, we can say John was extraordinary, but only human. He was a lamp, but not the Light; a voice, but not the Word. John was effective, but remained humble. (Swindoll)

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing. (Revelation 5:12-13)

LET IT GO

 Than You Jesus for taking our place as payment for our sins!

Such grace and mercy!

We worship You, sweet Lamb of God.

Baptism

 N.T. #689  "Baptism"

Dec. 8, 2025

John 1-Part 7

LET IT GLOW

Have you been baptized as a believer in Jesus? Is it important? John was baptizing people and he was questioned about it. How did he answer?

The Pharisees asked John the Baptist why he was baptizing, if he was not Christ, Elijah, nor a prophet? (verse 25) John's answer was showing a difference between what he is doing with water and what the Messiah will do with the real thing, the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit. (Mark 1:8) 

Come to think about it, they had never seen a baptism before John did it. 

Baptize means to make fully wet. 

It is not sprinkling, but baptism is completely covered with water, full immersion. Baptism is symbolic of a heart cleansed of sin. Those guys had not know such a thing. Pharisees only cared about rules, regulations, rituals, and rights. Jews, like Gentiles, needed to repent, confess, their sins. In effect, the Jews were outside of Abraham's covenant with God because of their sin. 

For us, Jesus is the one through whom we come to God. Believe His is God's Son, the Savior who takes away our sin. Jesus paid the price so we did not have to. He was the perfect Lamb of God for us, who died in our place.

Have you trusted in Jesus as your Savior? Do you have family members who need Jesus?

LET IT GROW

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (verse 29)

John saw Jesus and identified Him, not as the King of Israel, the Prophet, or even the Messiah, but first as "the Lamb of God." This was a reference to the Passover lamb (Ex. 12:1-13) and Isaiah's messianic imagery in Is. 53:7. (Swindoll)

What the Old Testament lamb could not do, Jesus is doing-forgiving and taking away sins. His grace and mercy is not limited to Jews, but to the entire world. (Falwell)

Back then, God required a stainless and perfect lamb as a sacrifice for the Jews' sins. The blood sacrifice only hid sin, but Jesus' blood washes it away, removing it from the heart. Jesus is the bridge for us to God. However, when Jews (and Gentiles) are not willing to accept this gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, their sin barrier is not removed. 

LET IT GO

May we confess our sins to You, Sweet Jesus.

We are sinners in need of a Savior, Your love and mercy, forgiveness.

Who Was John the Baptist?

N.T. #688  "Who Was John the Baptist?"

Dec. 5, 2025 

John 1-Part 6 

LET IT GLOW

Who was John the Baptist? In chapter 1, this seemed to have been an important thing to know. 

What do we know about John the Baptist?

• We know his father was a priest, Zechariah, and mother Elisabeth whose lineage was of Aaron.
• We know he was a miracle child born to older parents.
• Angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah while praying with the good news of their having a son and to name him John. (Luke 1:6)
• John's purpose was to prepare the way for the Lord and to turn Israel back to their God.
• Zechariah's doubt was a punishment and a sign-speechless for 9 months until it was time to name the baby John.
• John was raised according to the Nazarite vow. 
• John was a cousin of the Lord Jesus. 
• There were no less than 16 quoted from the Old Testament prophesying the coming Messiah and His forerunner found in Luke. 
• John dressed in camel's hair and a leather girdle, similar to Elija's clothing. (2Kings 1:8 and Matthew 3:4) His food was locusts and wild honey, which was eaten by very poor people. He lived in the wilderness.
• People confessed their sins and were baptized by John.
• John was humble, telling of One to come who was greater than he was, whose sandals he was unworthy to unlatch, and who would baptize the people with the Holy Ghost and fire. (Matt. 3:11)

John must have created quite a stir among the Jewish people. He was on a mission from God and people were responding. John was baptizing repentant people in the Jordan River. 

LET IT GROW

The Sanhedrin sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem into the wilderness to find out who John the Baptist was. (John 1:19) Probably jealousy had them curious about such a popular man., wondering what his credentials were. Was John a false prophet? Actually, those guys were asking John who he thought he was.

• Was John the Christ? 
• Was John an incarnate of Elijah, who was taken up in a fiery chariot? 
• Was John a prophet? 
• John was not the Christ Messiah, not Elijah back from the dead, nor was he a prophet.
• I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said of the prophet Elijah. (Isaiah 40:3)
• John thought of himself not as important, not a prophet, not a remarkable worthy man of God, not even a man to be noticed. Yet he was all of those things. (Swindoll)

John was preparing them to recognize who Jesus was. The Messiah was present in their time.

The important thing to know is not who John was, but who Jesus is. Is He your Savior, your King, your Messiah?

LET IT GO

Help us stand for the truth, be uncompromising, live for Jesus, and point others to the Savior.

Grace

N.T.#687  "Grace"

Dec. 4, 2025 

John 1-Part 5 

LET IT GLOW

We all need grace. How do we obtain it? Read on, my friend.

In the rest of the chapter, Christ is proclaimed as the Messiah by several-John the Baptist, Andrew, Simon Peter, Philip, and Nathanael. We read about John the Baptist's ministry, which came before Jesus' ministry. Although, Jesus existed before John in eternity. (verse 15)

As believers, we receive grace for grace of Jesus. (verse 16) 

What does that mean?

• It is super abundance of grace toward us by God for mankind. 
• Salvation is the greatest gift and man's greatest need. 
• Grace is what God does for man, not what man does for God or himself.
• For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
• The Law was given by Moses, which reveals our sinful condition. However, the Law could not give us grace and truth. The Law could not transform the sinful heart.
• Grace and truth are not provided by the Law, but by Jesus Christ. 
• Grace was to forgive and pardon the sinner. 
• Truth was that which the sacrifices pointed to. These are only found in Jesus.

What amazing grace! When we receive the substitutionary atoning death of Christ on the cross, our sins are forgiven and eternal life is imparted. What we can't do for ourselves, God's grace supplies.

It is like waves crashing on the seashore. God's grace is inexhaustible supply of His goodness that continuously brings His favor to His people. 

[Resources: Liberty Bible Commentary; The Tony Evans Bible Commentary]

LET IT GROW

No man has seen God at any time; the Only Begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him. (verse 18)

What does this mean?

• God is a Spirit and cannot be seen by man. (1 Tim. 6:16)
• Christ revealed God to man. 
• Moses saw only the backside of God's glory.  No one can see God's face on this side of eternity and live. (Ex. 33:18-23)
• Jesus' life expressed the divine nature of God. Since Jesus is fully God, to know Jesus is to know God. 
• The only way to God is through the Son. (14:6)

Want to know God? Then come to Jesus.

LET IT GO

Jesus Messiah, name above all names, blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel.

The Ransom for sinners.

All our hope is in You, Jesus, Light of the World.