Our traveler sits on the edge of a well, wiping cool water across his face. He drinks from the well and then gives water to his camel who drinks deeply from the water satchel that the man holds. Suddenly a woman comes up to him and shakes his arm. In horror he almost drops the satchel. People in these parts were dangerous to his people, even the women could be a threat.
“W-what is it you want?” Our traveler stutters.
The woman, her face filled with a glow states excitedly. “Have you yet heard of the man? He told me everything I ever did!”
Intrigued and with a suspicion of who the man might be, our traveler asks her to tell her story.
John 4:7, 9-10, 14, 32, 34-35 ESV
[7] A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.”
[9] The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) [10] Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”
[14] but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
She shuddered with excitement and continued, saying, “so I ran to the village and told all the people.”
John 4:29 ESV
[29] “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?”
“Can you believe that!?!”
Our traveler smiles, “oh yes. I can believe it. Which way did He go?”
The woman points and our traveler takes his camel’s halter and leads him once again in the footsteps of the Messiah.
Can you imagine? It’s a typical day. You go to draw water like every day. There’s a man there, but that’s not strange. Suddenly He speaks to you. A person of low social standing and of a part of the country that is hostile with His part of the country. Not only does He speak, but He speaks in riddles. You’re confused, possibly irritable and then you look into His eyes as He says John 4:26 ESV
[26] Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”
You can see from the light and kindness in His eyes that He is not crazy or cruel and teasing. He’s telling you the truth. He is the one you have waited for. More than that. He has come to speak to you. A lowly and sinful woman from a people who have been told they are less, unwanted, unloved even by the master. (Not completely Unjustly, the Samaritans had been known to attack Jews when they came to their cities.) Now you stand face to face with the God you had been told would not love you. What does He say? I will give you living water. I am the Messiah you have waited for. He tells you that you are welcome to come and be part of His Kingdom. There we see Jesus. Reaching out to those who hated Him and were hated by others. There we see the haters and the hated change and be renewed as people who seek and love God. Drink of the living water and never thirst again.
Following the fourth Wiseman- John 3:16
We find Our traveler sitting on the beach today. His eyes are looking at the clear water and the way the breeze moves it, but they are not focused on that. His mind has full control over him, he has heard words from His Messiah through a passerby. The words were nothing he had ever experienced before, and he now can do nothing but sit and think on them.
John 3:16-21 ESV
[16] “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. [18] Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. [19] And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. [20] For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. [21] But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
What was your first thought when you read this verse for the very first time? For God so loved the world. He have us Jesus. We wouldn’t give our place in a Tim’s lineup to people, and God gave us who are so unworthy, His Son. He sent Jesus to save the world. God knew what Jesus had to say would be hard to swallow. He know that people would feel like they were being condemned to death by how narrow the path is, so Jesus reminded us that He came to save the world. He is the light. Yes, the path is narrow, but it is possible for those who know and love Jesus. Run to the Light. Run toward Jesus. This verse, John 3:16-21 is the whole gospel in a nut shell. Jesus came to save us because He loves us and we weren’t making it on our own. He came to be a light to show us the way. The only way to Heaven is by knowing and loving Jesus. Those who love their sin will hate Jesus and will hate those who love Him. But Jesus will continue to shine bright, so even those who once hated Him can come to love Him. Those who love Him, walk in light.
We quote John 3:16 to the place where it’s almost over used. Non Christians quote it as a joke. Athletes put it on their jerseys (which is wonderful). It’s written in the air by sky writers during big events. We hear it all the time. But do we take it in? How do we feel? How did you feel when you first read this verse? Do you still feel like that? Our traveler is lost in his thoughts of overwhelm because of the mesmerizing words. Do these words still overwhelm us? Or have we forgotten how precious they are?
Following the fourth Wiseman-Nicodemus
As our traveler makes his way through the city he is stopped suddenly by one of the Pharisees. Our traveler is concerned, he knows his beloved Messiah is not someone the Pharisees approve of. Perhaps he is about to be accosted because he has been seen as one of His followers?
“I hear you have been wandering around and asking questions about the man from Nazareth?” The Pharisee inquires.
Our traveler nods his head.
“Why?” The Pharisee presses.
“Because I believe He is someone I… no…we, have searched for for a long time.”
“You must keep such thoughts to yourself. You would not be safe saying them to anyone else.” Our Pharisee smiles. “That being said. Would you like to hear of my own meeting with Him?”
Our traveler smiles back, “let’s go someplace quieter.”
The two strangers find a safe side road and begin their conversation.
John 3:1-5 ESV
[1] Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. [2] This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” [3] Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” [4] Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” [5] Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Our traveler is anxious little confused and very excited. “He said these things?”
“Yes, and more. I feel… like I am new after speaking with Him.”
“Which direction did He go when He left?”
“I’m not sure. I was in such awe I did not watch Him leave. If I learn more of Him I will seek for you and let you know.”
Our traveler thanks the Pharisee and leaves.
Jesus often spoke in riddles so that you could not understand without the teaching of the Holy Spirit. He did this as part of the narrow road. That may not make sense to all, but we must we recall the verse where He says this. It was also a custom of the time to speak in parables. The reason Nicodemus was confused was not because he was unskilled or uneducated, he was a priest and very knowledgeable. Yet Jesus’s words confounded him. Why? Because Jesus was speaking of a kingdom that the Pharisees and other leaders had not even thought of. A kingdom where all who come to the narrow gate may enter Heaven if they are washed by the blood of the Lamb. The gate is still open and still confounds some, but others find it and understand. Don’t ignore the open gate. There will come a time when it closes. Walk through it, and be with Jesus.
Fourth Sunday:
Following the fourth Wiseman- the cleansing of the temple
Our traveler has come to a place where he feels nothing about his Messiah will surprise him anymore. Little does he know that the upcoming passover would be one for the record books.
A flood of doves stand lazily on the roof tops of the buildings and stalls. Sheep ran through the streets. Our traveler barley manages to avoid having his knees knocked out from under him by an oncoming oxen. He looks around and sees utter chaos. He was on his way to the temple. Just because he was in search of the Messiah did not mean he was going to forsake his duties as godly man. As he began climbing the steps he could hear people inside complaining. He lowered his head respectfully and inquired of those inside, asking them what had happened? Was it an earthquake? Perhaps a Roman raid?
The men snorted. “A raid? Don’t be ridiculous. We still have our heads do we not? No, this was one man. Some sort of… zealot or something. You won’t believe what He did.”
John 2:13-17 ESV
[13] The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. [14] In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. [15] And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. [16] And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” [17] His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
Our traveler held back a grin and nodded his head. “That must have been very shocking for you.”
“Outrageous is the word!”
Our traveler left the temple and the two men. As he made his way down the steps he shook his head gently.
“My Lord, what are doing?” He whispered, “you are making powerful enemies.”
We love to remember Jesus throwing the tables and chasing the hapless tradesman with his homemade whip. But we must recall why He did it. These people had defiled the Father’s house. They had dishonored God. So Jesus who was pure and righteous cast them out of the temple. There are still people today who want to defile the temple. They blasphemy from the alter, they hang sinful flags, we have a church nearby that permits sacrilegious rituals inside their church, why? For money. See, the money changers never really left the temple. There are still places where their evil hand still holds. If Jesus came into the modern church I wonder how many tables He would flip? This act of Jesus brought about enemies. Enemies that now had a claim to present. He caused carnage within the temple. But these people should have seen that it was they who had defiled God’s holy place, it was Jesus who cleansed it. Our hearts are also temples to the Lord. Have we permitted things to set up booth within our souls that does not belong? When Jesus comes to clean our temple out, will we let Him?
Following the fourth Wiseman- the wedding
We find Our traveler sitting down at a small outdoor food stall. He sips his water and tears at his bread, but his ears are alert! Something has been on the air. A buzz of some sort of gossip. He has heard small bits and peices but has yet to hear the whole tale. Yet, he knows in his bones that the word that is being spread is about his Messiah. A small boy stumbles past and our traveler reaches out to catch his arm.
“Whose house do you serve in child?” Our Traveler asks.
The boy looks carefully at the stranger and sees he has gentle eyes. “I serve the bread maker sir.”
Our traveler smiles, “is there any chance you were at the wedding that happened recently?”
The boy pulls away, “my master forbids me to speak of it.”
Our traveler is confused, “but why? I heard something wonderful happened.”
The boy grins, “wonderful and mysterious.” He looks around, “there…was a miracle.”
Our traveler leans closer to the child and drops his voice, “really?”
“Yes. Not just any miracle, but one like stories from the days of our ancestors. Let me tell you what I heard and saw.”
John 2:7-11 ESV
[7] Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. [8] And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. [9] When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom [10] and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” [11] This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
Our traveler smiles, “do you know who the man was?”
The boy shakes his head, “One of the guests I suppose.”
Our traveler thanks the boy for his tale and gives him some money. As the child leaves our traveler whispers to him, “imagine, if that guest were someone great. Perhaps even, the Messiah.”
The boy looks at our traveler with a show of shock and then a smile creeps over his face, “yes. Imagine of he were.”
The feast at Cana was not really supposed to be the first sign. Jesus Himself says so. If you asked me I would say that the first sign was the fish overflowing the nets. However, the water turned to wine is considered the first sign. Jesus’s time was not yet, however His mother insisted He help when the risk of public ridicule loomed by the wine running out early. Jesus was pure, meaning He obeyed His human mother and showed His first public miracle. Many have tried to show how He might have done this. Many have found suggestions. Yet the truth is He turned water into wine by His authority over the earth. A true miracle. For those who want to claim it ws a trick, it would be nice if someone reminded them that no one expected the wine to run out and that Jesus would have to change the water. Even the greatest magician needs time and planning. This could not have been set up. Also, there were witnesses. Up close where they could see all that was happening, not in a crowded room from down in the bleachers wher you cant really see what is being done. There was no chance for slight of hand. This was a miracle. No matter what people say. Jesus began His signs and wonders with this insignificant problem. Which reminds us of how loved we are. Even when we run out of drink at a wedding Jesus cares enough to provide.
Following the fourth Wiseman- the abandoned, forgotten, broken and in need
Luke 8:1-3 ESV
[1] Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, [2] and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, [3] and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.
We don’t really talk about the women who followed Jesus, and when we do people get hung up on what they had been before following Jesus more than who they were after they had met Him. There were actually several women who followed Jesus, but people like to focus on Mary. Why? Because they like to use Mary to make Jesus seem like He was less holy than the True God He is. Mary had been a woman of ill repute. She had been someone that one who was Holy should not have spent time with, but that’s not the person she remained. People act as if the Mary who followed Jesus was the same Mary who was known for her lifestyle. But this was a different Mary. Just like Joanna was a different Joanna, and Susanna was a different Susanna and the ladies whose names are not listed here but some who are listed elsewhere, are not the same women they had been before they met Jesus. The men who followed Jesus had changed after meeting Him and so had the women. Jesus cast the demons out of these women, He had not let them stay in and just let them follow Him the way they were. The gospels are books of transformation. Not books of stagnancy.
When exploring abandoned buildings, what is the most dangerous thing you will find? Standing water. Why? Because it has sat there, unmoving, rotting under the surface and breeding disease and parasites that become poison and toxins. People are like that. If they stay in their sin and brokenness long enough, separated from the stirring and renewing love of God, they become defiled, their souls rot and they become toxic. But Jesus is like a pound of pure chlorine to such souls. If these people let Him into their lives, He will cleanse them and save them until they are clean springs of fresh water again. That is what He did for the women who followed Him.
Jesus reached out the women who no one else would love. Not in some radical defiance of God’s law, but in fulfillment of God’s law. He loved the widow and the orphan and was the husband to the husbandless and He cast the demons out of those who were trapped by them. These women then changed and became followers of Jesus. They should not be remembered for what they were when they were lost in their sin, they should be remembered for how Jesus changed them.
This then ends our calling of the disciples. There were many who chose to follow Jesus, but here we cover those who were His first and most devoted followers.
As we close this section we see our Traveler again, walking along the shore, still searching for his Messiah. Only now he knows His name, and the names of some of His people. Now he is more excited than ever to walk in the footsteps that his King has left behind.
Following the fourth Wiseman- And all the rest
Our traveler left his new friends with a joy in his heart that replaced the sadness and disappointment of that morning with a burning fire. Our Traveler walked a ways until he found a small hillock and made camp for the night. As he lay on his back with his camel by his side, his eyes stared at the stars and he wondered how many more his Messiah would call and who they were?
Matthew 10:1-4 ESV
[1] And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. [2] The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; [3] Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; [4] Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
We hear specifically about the calling of eight of the twelve deciples, but we don’t really have a lot of information on the others. We know that Simon was a zealot and it is suggested that Judas too may have been. We know James number two was the son of someone named Alphaeus, where Thomas and Thaddaeus were just names in the list. Actually, though he comes later, Bartholomew can also be added to Jesus’s deciples. Who were these men? What had their lives been before Jesus called them? Were they married? Did they have girlfriends or children or pet fish that they left behind? Was it a great sacrifice to follow Jesus? Or did He lead them out of bad places and into the safety of His presence?
We really don’t know. There are side texts and historical records that point to some of them, but there is nothing Biblical record. I suppose that is sort of what it is like to follow Jesus. Once you choose to go with Him who you were before does not really matter. Who you are once you give your life to Him, the things you do after, these are what count. Simon did not stay a zealot. Peter did not remain a fisherman. Matthew gave up being a tax collector. These were what had previously defined them. Now the only thing that defines them is Jesus.
Who you were does not matter. What you did before you met Jesus no longer counts. He has washed it all away, now you are someone new. Loved and chosen.
Following the fourth Wiseman- the tax collector
Matthew 9:9-13 ESV
[9] As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. [10] And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples.
Our traveler was shocked and stood in sadness at what he had been told. The Messiah he was looking for, the one he had just considered following once he found Him, He was acting like one who was not pure. Our traveler was angry with himself for all the years he had spent. For the true Messiah was to be Holy, yet this man sat with the sinner.
The two men accounting what they had heard and seen of the calling of the deciples spoke calmy to our traveler.
“Just wait. We are not yet finished in our tellings. Sit, please.”
Though still upset, our traveler sat down again and listened as his companions began speaking again.
[11] And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” [12] But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. [13] Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Our traveler’s eyes felt warm as he held back his tears. He realized in those simple words, that he too would be welcome at the table of Jesus. He was a righteous man, one who sacrificed to God and honored Him. Yet he knew that he was broken and full of sin. There were days when he felt no amount of sacrifice could pay for his guilt. Yet the King he sought after was seeking out the lost and those broken by sin and was offering them a chance to change, He was offering love and hope. He was not impure, He was not making Himself unclean and sinning with those who had chosen to not serve God. He was offering to those who were ready to let go and come to Him a way out from their pain.
“I too am a sinner. I have worried about when I meet Him because of this. Yet now I know that I be with Him and He will help me change.” Our Traveler stated through a mix of joy and tears.
The other two men smiled and nodded their heads, they had been where he was and had gone from anger to peace at the realization of what Jesus had meant.
There have been so many who want to claim the tax collector’s table. They say, “Jesus will welcome me there just as I am.” But then they go no further. They remain at the table of the sinners. Yes, Jesus is sitting there, but He will not remain there. Jesus is sitting at that table because it is the place the broken are willing to come, but He has planned a better table with a great banquet, yet to be seated at this table you must be willing to change.
Here Jesus calls Himself the physician there to heal the sick. You do not seek out a health care professional so they can say, “ya you’re fine, go on the way you are.” You seek them out so they can tell you your illness and help cure you from it. If I go to a doctor and he says, “I can’t see anything wrong with you.” I not only feel like I have wasted my time but I also question his qualifications.
Jesus was not saying, “I like sinners and their sinning and I want to sin with them.” He was not saying, “I see you and don’t judge you.” He was definitely not saying, “you be you bo.” He was saying, “yes these people are sinners, but I love them and have come to heal them.”
The calling of Matthew was a radical move. But look closely. Jesus calls Matthew and Matthew gives up his tax booth and leaves all of that behind and follows Jesus. Matthew is exactly who we are supposed to be. We are all sinners. All of us. The fact that Jesus will forgive us and let us come to Him, that’s what’s amazing.
Imagine being Matthew. Everyone hates you. Your people hate you because you cheat from them and work for the Roman’s. The Roman’s hate you because you’re not Roman. Then one day someone looks you in the eye and says. I love you. Follow me.
Amazing.
Guess what? He loves you. Follow Him.
Following the fourth Wiseman- the fig tree
Our traveler is anxious to hear more! His Messiah is calling people. When the two men with him had first began telling what they knew of Jesus’s calling of the first deciples our traveler had been confused by the “band of un-schooled ruffians and old fishermen,” but now as he listened a new thought came to him, and it filled him with such excitement and joy that he could hardly contain it. If Jesus was calling others, people of low standing and no formal training in the law, perhaps he could join and follow Jesus too?
The two men with our traveler continue speaking. They relate the way the next deciple came to follow Jesus.
John 1:45-51 ESV
[45] Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” [46] Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” [47] Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” [48] Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” [49] Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” [50] Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” [51] And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
Here in this verse we can assume that Jesus said ‘I saw you while you were under the fig tree,’ because Nathaniel was sitting under a fig tree when Philip found him. However, I like the way The Chosen series portrays this scene, Nathaniel has just lost everything, he literally sets fire to his ambitions and dreams and then in tears gathers the ashes and pours them over his head, all while under a fig tree. Do you know why I like this? It’d because it gives so much more meaning to the moment when Jesus says, “I saw you under the fig tree.”
When we are in desperation, and our dreams have gone up in flame, and we sit alone and crying, we can feel no one in the world sees us, nor cares. Yet in the moments we are closer to Jesus than any other time. Why? Because we have nothing else, so we draw nearest to the only one who has stayed beside us, the only true thing that has not disappeared with all the rest. Jesus says He draws near to the brokenhearted because it’s in those moments that we feel no one sees us, yet the King of the world is saying, “I see you when you think you are all alone and no one cares, I care.”
I do not know the true path that lead to Nathaniel’s door, but I know that anytime I am having a fig tree moment, my Jesus is with me.
Following the fourth Wiseman- when Jesus says follow me, will you stop what you are doing and go?
John 1:43-44 ESV
[43] The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” [44] Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
It has been said that Philip was most likely a follower of John the Baptist. We could then produce the hypothesis that Philip might have previously met Jesus through John before, though there is no evidence to that thought. In my mind I see Jesus walking through Galilee and seeing Philip and going up to him and asking him to follow. Jesus was never demanding people to follow Him, they could have said ‘no,’ but each one of them knew in their hearts that this man was different, and each one of them followed Him willingly. We do not know much of Philip, all we know is that Jesus said ‘follow,’ and he did.
Carried in the cross 