Blessed & Bearded's Biblical Blog

So this is it, the final chapter and the conclusion for us before we break for 2 weeks. I’m almost certain that this is my 5th or 6th read-through of the Gospel of John and my first time teaching it all the way through; and I must say, because of this study, this has been the best year of my life bar none (tho in fairness past years have never been too special or spectral by any means but anyhow) so thank you all for your continuous support and encouragement it really does mean the most to me. Like, I said its a 2-week break. So be thinking about how this study, or myself, can improve in any way at all. Also, leaders please be ready for one of y’all to teach sometime in late May. I should have our Ephesians study planned out by the end of April at the latest so y’all should have plenty of prep time beforehand, and I will send all that info out to you when it’s ready. Anyhow, on to our study. Pray Read the text. So some scholars have attempted to argue that this chapter shouldn’t be in...

Talk to me about the Resurrection. What is it? And why does it matter? Jesus died for His Church/was killed by the Romans and Jews as clearly seen in the last chapter. No one could have survived what Jesus went through. The Resurrection is Jesus raising back to life in a new/eternal/spiritual body. This matters because 1) It proves Jesus as the Christ 2) It proves His divinity 3) It proves His teachings as legit/true. Practically speaking, without the Resurrection there would be no Ascension/Him returning to The Father in His new/spiritual body. In very short, this means that the Ascended Jesus 1) Intercedes for us, even this very second, to be made more like Him (sanctification) and that we endure all trials and suffering in this life and 2) for The Father to send out the Spirit to save/redeem others. Also, when we are downcast and opposed by our sin we have a friend to go to in our time of sorrow and need who understands what we’re going through more than even we do. IE Jesus Christ...

Pray Read the text.  It is worth noting that none of the 4 gospels give us a comprehensive view of what happened at Golgotha; I believe this is done to show us the depth and complexity of this historic event. That is, all 4 authors of the Gospel are telling us to dig deeper than into this event.  I recommend reading this event in the other 4 gospels located in Matthew 27, Mark 15 and Luke 23. 19:1-11 19:1-3 Why did Pilate have Jesus beaten? Pilate had no charge against Jesus. Pilate seemed to find Jesus innocent. It would seem that Pilate was trying to satisfy the Jews’ bloodlust.  So why was Jesus beaten at all? Or why did God allow such suffering to come upon Jesus if it was only necessary for Jesus to die as a sacrifice to God? It was common that Roman criminals would be beaten/flogged prior to their trail to try and get them to confess any other crimes committed. Thus, the flogging further establishes Jesus' innocence. I think Paul speaks ...

Pray  Read the text 18:1-6 What made Jesus so bold in His proclamation of Himself?  Love. He loved us, His Church, enough to die for us. He, therefore, boldly went to proclaim should love.  Why do you think the soldiers were so shocked at Jesus’ proclamation? One man’s boldness vs a legion of trained soldiers. I would likewise be shocked at one man’s boldness.  Ok. So we talked about Jesus and His bold. Let's move to talk about Peter’s boldness/bravery. 18:7-11 I have always found this to be one of the most strange scenes in all the gospels.  Why would John include something so detailed/inconsequential to the overall story?  Why do y’all think Peter attacked the priest's servant?  I’m not sure why Peter would attack the priests servant out of all people; maybe he was the easiest target. But its clear by his actions Peter was brave/bold.  18:11 Jesus rebukes Peter for his “bravery”. Why?  Because Je...

Pray Read the Text Intro to John 17:     Perhaps y'all are aware of the “Lord’s Prayer” in Matt. 6:9-13 but that section of scripture is a prayer taught to the disciples by Jesus as a pattern for their prayers. John, here, records what is truly the Lord’s Prayer. There is very little is recorded in regards to the content of Jesus’ prayers; thus this is a particular portion of scripture that deserves its due diligence.      This is also a transition chapter from the very end of Jesus' public ministry and the start of His fulfillment in the role of accomplishing redemption.  In many ways, this chapter also serves as a summation of John’s Gospel with themes like:  Jesus' obedience to the Father The glorification of His Father through his death The revelation of God in Jesus The gathering of the disciples out of the world Their mission to the world Their unity modeled/rooted in the unity of the Father and the...