Alan W. Harris's Blog, page 6

12 – Healing at Bethesda and its Repercussions

After months of ministry in the area of Galilee, Jesus and His disciples once again made the trip to Jerusalem for one of the annual feasts. As was typical in Jesus’s very unique ministry, along with regularly teaching in the temple complex, He also healed some who were sick and occasionally cast out demons. During His first year of ministry, Jesus had been cautious about revealing who He actually was to the world. He seemed to be performing His miracles somewhat discretely, much to the confusion and annoyance of His disciples. But with this trip to Jerusalem, although Jesus began to change His strategy, it wasn’t in a way that fit into His disciples’ expectations. Once again their faith in their Master was going to be challenged.
On the Sabbath day of the feast, after spending His usual time teaching in the temple, instead of leaving through the south gate to head to the lower city, Jesus led His followers across the large court and traveled through the north temple gate, past the Roman Fortress Antonia, and out of Jerusalem through the Sheep Gate.
“Uh, why are we going north, Teacher?” Philip asked what they were all wondering. “We usually go through the lower city and out to the Mount of Olives.” Everyone turned curious eyes on their Master.
Glancing back at His friends, Jesus gave a slight smile and answered, “I have an appointment.”
“An appointment?” John questioned to some of the disciples standing near him. “Maybe Teacher is meeting up with other believers,” Andrew suggested.
“That would be great!” James said enthusiastically
“Yes, it would,” agreed Rock. “The Teacher needs to strengthen His followers and build greater loyalty among those who already believe in Him.”
“That’s exactly right,” Judas added. “We need a strong base, a core group of dedicated people who will stand with us when the fight comes, especially among the priests and religious leaders who have shown an interest in Him. We can’t let those fellows slip away from us. They’re too important to our movement.”
They followed Jesus out of the city and along the road that would lead them past the walled pool of Bathesda. The disciples thought they were headed to a secret meeting away from Sanhedrin and Roman spies. They were surprised when Jesus turned off the road and headed toward the pool.
The name Bathesda means House of Mercy and was considered by Jews and Romans a place whose waters promoted healing. The pagan Romans had even set up shrines at the pool and declared it an asclepeion, or a healing temple. Because of that, many Jews shunned the place. The only Jews who came to the pool were those in desperate need of healing, and there were many who fell into that group in Jerusalem.
The Pool of Bathesda was actually two pools, an upper one and a lower one that were connected, both of which were surrounded by rectangular stone walls. Inside the unique building were five separate porticos covered with roofs that were held up by stone columns.
When Jesus and His followers entered the structure, the disciples were stunned at the huge crowd of sick and injured people who literally covered most of the steps and all of the porches.
“What is going on here?” John asked in amazement.
“Well, the whole thing is really sad and disgusting,” Judas answered. “It’s believed that every once in a while an angel comes down and stirs up the pool waters, and the first one in gets healed. I’ve heard the fights to be the first one in the water are brutal.”
They watched as Jesus carefully walked down the crowded steps and onto the nearest porch. Moving cautiously so as not to tread on any of the many invalids lying there, He made His way to a man who seemed to have more space around him than any of the others. The man rested in a shady spot on a thick mat and had a worn pillow between his back and one of the columns. The fellow had a reasonably comfortable setup and had obviously been there a long time. A club lay close at hand, and it was clear that the man was ready to defend his spot.
When Jesus stopped beside the man, the invalid quickly snatched up his club and gave the Teacher a threatening look.
“Do you wish to get well?” the Teacher asked as He looked into the man’s eyes.
The invalid rolled his eyes at the question. “Of course I want to get well,” the man shot back angrily. “But nobody gives a rip about me! When the water finally does get stirred up, I can’t get there by myself, and nobody will help put me in the water! Every time somebody else steps in front of me—EVERY SINGLE TIME!” As he said these last words, he pounded his club against the ground, venting his anger and frustration.
Jesus watched the angry man for a moment, then said, “Get up, pick up your mat, and walk.”
The invalid was about to turn and spit some caustic remark back at the annoying stranger when suddenly he felt strength shoot through his legs. He actually saw his withered leg muscles plump up. In amazement the man began to test out his new legs and found that, after thirty-eight years, he could walk again!
Everybody there knew the man, and nobody liked him. He was so full of anger and bitterness that all the others accepted without question that the man deserved the illness that he had suffered for so long. So they were all stunned when they saw him suddenly stand up and begin skipping and hopping around on legs that hadn’t worked in decades. Of all the people in the world who should get a miracle, it shouldn’t have been him. Suddenly pandemonium broke out as everyone wanted to know what had happened.
By this time, Jesus had returned to His friends and was leading them back the way they had come.
“So was that it, Teacher?” Matthew asked as they returned to the temple. “I mean, the place was full of sick people, but you only healed that one man.”
“He obviously didn’t know who You are,” Thomas added. “Didn’t You tell us that You want to build people’s faith in You?”
“Yeah, Teacher,” Philip joined in, “that guy didn’t have any faith in You at all, but You healed him anyway. What’s that all about?”
Jesus stopped and looked at all of His disciples. “You will all see in less than an hour.”

Picking up all of his bedding and his club, the healed man began to push and threaten his way through the excited crowd, who all wanted to touch him to see if some of his miracle might rub off onto them. For the first time in thirty-eight years, he longed to be with people—normal people. And since it was the Sabbath, he knew that many of the people in Jerusalem would be in the temple, so that’s where he headed.
As he entered the temple grounds, he was confronted by some of the religious leaders. “Hey, you! This is the Sabbath day! You can’t be carrying stuff around today. It’s against the law.”
“Don’t yell at me,” the man said defensively. “It’s not my fault! The man who healed me told me to pick up my bedding and walk.”
“Somebody healed you?” one of the Pharisees demanded angrily. “TODAY?”
“Yeah,” the man answered. “I haven’t been able to walk for thirty-eight years, and this guy comes up to me and tells me to pick up my stuff and walk, and suddenly I was able to.”
“He can’t do that on the Sabbath day!” another shot back. “Who was it?”
“I don’t know!” the man snapped. “He was just there, he healed me, and then he left.”
“Well, if you see him, you’d better come tell us, or it’ll be the worse for you. Now drop all that junk you’re carrying and go ask God to forgive you.” Reluctantly the man laid down his possessions and walked into the temple.

A short time later Jesus, Who was standing in the temple with His disciples, spotted the man He had healed and approached him.
“You!” the man said with surprise when he saw his healer standing in front of him.
“Look at yourself,” Jesus said. “You are completely well. Now stop all of your sinning so that nothing worse happens to you.”
With a look of anger, the man quickly turned from those piercing eyes and pushed his way past the disciples. “What business is it of yours?” James and John heard the man growl as he stomped off.
“Well, that went well,” James said loud enough for the others to hear.
“We aren’t done yet,” Jesus answered as he watched the man rush toward a group of Pharisees. The fellow began using very animated expressions and pointed toward Jesus.
“Uh-oh,” Thomas muttered as they watched all of the angry religious leaders walk purposefully towards them. “Maybe we should leave, Teacher.”
“No, Thomas,” Jesus returned with a smile. “This is why we are here.”
“How dare you heal this man on the Sabbath!” one of the Pharisees snarled.
“And then,” another joined in, “you also ordered him to break the Sabbath by requiring him to carry his baggage!”
“My Father in Heaven works on the Sabbath,” Jesus answered calmly. “If my Father is working, then I will work also.”
“YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN?” the first one shouted. “SO YOU THINK YOU ARE THE SON OF GOD? THAT’S BLASPHEMY!”
“I’m going to tell you the truth,” Jesus returned calmly, “the absolute truth. The Son can do nothing of Himself. He can only do what He sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does—just the way the Father wants it done. This is because the Father loves the Son and shows Him everything that He Himself is doing.”
As Jesus said this, He gestured toward the man He had healed. “And even greater works than these will He show the Son so that you will be amazed.”
“Like what?” one of the disbelieving Pharisees shot back.
“Just like the Father raises the dead and gives them life,” Jesus answered, “in the same way the Son gives life to whoever He wishes.”
“Oh, is that so?” the Pharisee asked with a sarcastic chuckle.
“Yes, it is,” Jesus responded. “And not only that, but the Father, Who is Judge of all the earth, has given all judgment to the Son. He did this so that everyone would honor the Son as they honor the Father.”
“Ha! You’re not going to make much of a judge,” one of the Jewish leaders shot back, “since you don’t know how to keep the Sabbath.”
“He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father Who sent Him,” Jesus answered. “I’m telling you the truth—the absolute truth! The person who listens to the words the Father has given Me to speak and believes Him Who sent Me has eternal life, and that person has passed out of death and into life, and he will not be judged.”
“Okay, I get it,” one of the Pharisees who hadn’t spoken yet said. “He’s not talking about raising people physically from the dead. He’s saying that listening to his teachings will give people a spiritual life.
“Isn’t that right teacher?”
The disciples behind Jesus were all nodding yes.
“I’m telling you the truth—the absolute truth!” Jesus returned firmly. “The time has come for all who are dead to hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear shall live. For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son to have life in Himself.
“Don’t be amazed at this,” Jesus continued. “A time is coming when all the dead in the tombs will hear the Son’s voice and will come out: those who have done good to a resurrection of life, but those who have done evil to a resurrection of judgment.”
There was an uncomfortable silence as Jesus looked intently into the eyes of each of His adversaries. Finally the Teacher broke the silence. “You question who I am. If I was My only witness, you would have a right to doubt me, but I have other witnesses. You sent to John the Baptizer, and he bore witness of me. But I have even greater witnesses than John. I’m going to tell you about these witnesses because I want you to be saved.” Once again Jesus pointed to the man He healed. “The works which the Father has given Me to accomplish, the works that I am doing, these miraculous works are my witnesses. They declare that the Father has sent Me. Even the Father Himself has been My witness.”
“Brothers, have any of you heard God testify that this man is His son?” one of the religious leaders asked the other Pharisees.
“No!” they enthusiastically answered.
“Of course you haven’t,” Jesus returned. “You can’t hear His voice because you don’t know Him. He sent His own Son to speak to you, and you refuse to believe Him.”
One of the angry Pharisees started to interrupt Jesus, “But the scriptures…”
“The scriptures?” the Teacher shot back, cutting him off. “You search the scriptures because you think you’ll find eternal life in them. It is these same scriptures that bear witness of Me, but you are unwilling to come to Me for life. I have come in My Father’s name, but you won’t receive me. Others come in their own name, and you run to them. Even though I am His Son, don’t think that I’m going to be the one to accuse you before the Father. The one who will accuse you will be Moses, because he wrote about Me. He told you I was coming, but you didn’t believe him. If you will not believe the writings of Moses, then you will certainly not believe My words either.”
As Jesus led his followers away from the tense confrontation, a discussion broke out among the disciples.
“Did you hear them?” John said, looking back at the angry Jews having an intense debate. “As we were walking away, one of them said that Jesus must die!”
“We haven’t heard the end of this,” Simon, the former assassin, said. “I’ve seen that look before. Those guys are definitely going to cause trouble.”
“Well, you wanted the Teacher to proclaim Himself,” Matthew said.
“But not like that!” Simon exclaimed.
“Why did the Teacher do this?” Judas asked angrily. “It’s dangerous, and it doesn’t help our cause! It’s like He arranged the whole thing!”
“The Teacher only says what the Father tells Him to say,” Rock returned. “Maybe it’s somehow a part of God’s plan.”
“Well,” Judas shot back, “all I can say is, the Father’s going to get His Son killed if He keeps giving Him words like these!”

By Alan W. Harris
(Inspired by John 5:1-47)

11 – The Challenge to Deeper Faith

After spending two days teaching the people of Sychar in Samaria, Jesus gave the word, and much to Judas’s relief, they headed north toward Galilee. As they walked, the disciples talked among themselves. “Can someone please explain to me why we left Judea in the first place? We had a lot of people coming to us down there.”
“Philip!” James called in an exasperated tone.
“That’s a reasonable question!” Philip shot back defensively. “I don’t mind going back home to Galilee, but why now when we had such a good thing going?”
“I’ve been wondering the same thing,” Judas growled under his breath.
“Okay, listen,” Rock said. “Until the Teacher tells us, we won’t know why we’re doing this. I just know that wherever He goes, I’m going, and I think all of you feel the same. Actually this could work out just fine. Jesus and most of us are Galileans. I would imagine that there are many people back home who will join us.”
“I’m sure there are,” Andrew agreed. “I saw a lot of Galileans in Jerusalem at the Passover. They would have all seen or heard of the Teacher’s miracles and signs.”
“So is that why we’re going to Galilee, Teacher?” Philip asked.
All eyes turned to look at Jesus. Without looking back at His followers, the Teacher answered loudly enough for all to hear. “A prophet has no honor in his own country.”
“But, Lord,” Thomas the Twin returned, “there are many from Galilee who have seen Your miracles! They will believe in You!”
“It’s nice to have someone around to heal your aches and pains and to entertain you, but that’s as far as their faith will go right now,” Jesus answered. “They might believe in what they see Me do, but they aren’t trusting in My words, and they certainly don’t believe in Who I am. I will need to grow their little faith by challenging it, like I am doing with you.”
“So are we going to Capernaum?” James asked.
“Eventually,” Jesus answered. “But first we are going back to Cana.”
“CANA!” Nathaniel of Cana exclaimed. “That’s great, Teacher! I have several more family members and friends that I want to introduce you to!”

“Is he any better at all, Joanna?”
“No, Husband! Even with Herod’s physician, the boy is getting worse!”
Chuza, Herod Antipas’ chief steward, looked desperately at the attending doctor.
“I’m sorry, Chief Steward,” the exhausted physician responded to the unasked question. “I have attended him all night, and nothing I’ve done has helped. Though it breaks my heart to say it, the boy is dying.”
The parents fell on each other’s shoulders, weeping bitterly. “How long does he have?” Chuza asked through his tears.
“One…maybe two days at most,” came the heart-wrenching answer.
“If only that miracle-working prophet Jesus were here,” Joanna cried, “but He’s been gone from Capernaum for weeks.”
“The last report was that He was still in Judea and too far away to help us,” Chuza groaned.
“Actually that’s not the last report.” The steward, his wife, and the doctor all turned to face the speaker, who was standing in the doorway.
“Manaen, my friend,” Chuza responded hopefully, “what have you heard?”
“It was reported that the Teacher left Judea a few days ago and is now in Cana.”
“How could you possibly know that?”
“I’m the king’s brother(*),” he answered with a smile and a shrug. “I hear things.”
“That’s only fifteen miles!” Joanna gasped.
“I will leave at once!” Chuza declared.
“I’d let you use my carriage,” Manaen said, “but the mountain road to Cana is too rough. You’ll have to take a horse. Grab what you need. I’ll get horses and two of my guards to go with you.”
Chuza paused just long enough to grab his friend’s hand. “Thank you,” he said earnestly, “and please have them grab torches to use when we come back tonight.”
“Just hurry,” Manaen urged as he rushed out. “I’ll have the guards take an extra horse for the Teacher to ride as well.”

The sun had set as a tired and worried Chuza rode into Cana with the guards. Several people were standing out in the street staring at the newcomers. Quickly the chief steward rode to the nearest ones and asked where he could find Jesus.
“Just follow the crowd,” the answer came back.
Looking up the street, Chuza saw a small crowd of people walking toward a house at the end of the street. He reigned his horse to a stop beside the crowd and called for Jesus as he hurriedly dismounted.
“I am Jesus,” the Teacher announced as he stepped forward to meet the anxious man.
“My son is dying!” the steward cried out. “You must come with us immediately to Capernaum and heal him!”
Jesus stood still, gazing deeply into the eyes of this frantic father.
“There is no time, Teacher,” Chuza appealed again. “You must come!” Tears began to form in the man’s eyes.
There was disappointment in Jesus’ voice when He answered. “Unless you people actually see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.”
“Sir, it’s my child!” There was no hiding the desperation in man’s voice. “Come down with us before he dies!” Chuza looked imploringly into the face of the man who held his son’s life in His hands. What he saw was a pair of eyes that seemed to search the very depths of his soul. Chuza thought he saw compassion in them, but there was something else. Jesus was looking for something.
Finally the Teacher said, “Go your way; your son lives.” Then He turned to enter the house.
That was not the answer the steward expected, and he struggled with what to do. Jesus wasn’t coming, but He said his son would live. How could that be? Jesus was fifteen miles away from the boy. He didn’t know where they lived. He didn’t know the boy’s name. He didn’t even know what the boy was sick with. How could He just say that he would live? If Jesus didn’t go with him now, there would not be time to come back to get Him. What should he do?
Just then a hand rested on Chuza’s shoulder. “It’s never easy to grow faith,” Nathaniel of Cana said compassionately. “You clearly believe that Jesus can heal your son.”
“Yes, I do,” came the tense answer.
“Friend,” Nathaniel continued, “this Man is much more than just a miracle worker. The same God who gives Him the power to heal also gives Him the words He says. His words are as sure as His works. Trust Him.”
With a deep sigh Chuza gave the disciple an understanding nod and mounted his horse. Looking down at the disciple, Chuza asked, “Who do you believe He is?”
A large smile spread across Nathaniel’s face. “He is the Son of God! He is the King of Israel!”
“Chief Steward,” one of the guards said, “we have the authority to arrest this teacher and make him come with us if you wish.”
“No,” Chuza returned. “He said my son lives, and I will trust Him. We’re going home.”
“But, sir,” the other guard spoke up, “it is almost dark. We should spend the night here and return in the morning.”
“We have torches to light our way,” Chuza shot back. “I must get back to my son!”
With a nod of thanks to Nathaniel of Cana, the chief steward and his guards rode into the night. They made slow progress through the darkness along the narrow mountain trail, but the next day as dawn approached, the concerned father and the two guards found themselves only a few miles from Capernaum. “Since we can see now, let’s pick up the pace,” Chuza called to the others. “We’re almost home.”
They had only been trotting half an hour when one of the guards called out, “Steward, someone approaches!” They reigned their horses to a stop, and both guards drew their swords, moving their animals up beside Chuza.
“The ones who are yelling at us are Toma and Eli, two of my house servants, but I can’t understand what they’re saying.”
“The other two are palace guards,” one of his companions volunteered.
“Come on!” Chuza exclaimed and drove his heels into his horse’s flanks.

“He is well, Master! He is well!” Eli cried out with joy.
“Your son lives, Master!” Toma added. “The Lady Joanna knew you would be anxious to know, and she sent us out before dawn to meet you. Master?”
But Chuza could not answer just then, he was sobbing with tears of joy and thanksgiving. Finally the chief steward looked up and asked, “When did the boy start getting better?”
“He was suddenly fine last evening just after sunset,” Toma answered. “It was right at the seventh hour when the fever left him. We were all stunned!”
“Amazing!” Chuza returned, looking at his two guards. “It occurred at the moment that Jesus told me my son lives!
“I must get home! Toma, give me your fresh horse, and you mount mine.”
After the exchange of rides, one of the guards with the two servants said, “We will ride with the chief steward.” But Chuza was already galloping away.

Later that day the chief steward and his wife, Joanna, were sitting on a divan holding each other as they watched their healthy son fighting pretend battles with toy soldiers on the floor.
“He was so sick,” Joanna said. “I never expected to be sitting here today watching him play. He shouldn’t even be alive!”
“I believed that Jesus could touch a person and heal them,” Chuza began. “I saw Him do it in Jerusalem at the Passover…a lot of us did. I thought if I could bring Jesus here, He would touch our son and heal him. But Jesus wouldn’t come. He said the only way we would believe was if we actually saw miracles. When I begged Him again to come with me, He simply said that our son lives and walked away.”
“And he does live!” Joanna said happily.
“Yes, he does,” Chuza agreed thoughtfully. “Do you realize what Jesus did, Joanna? I never told Jesus our son’s name or where our home was located. Jesus didn’t even know what kind of sickness our son had, and yet He knew what miracle was needed and where to send it! That’s way beyond what a miracle worker could do.”
“Do you believe Jesus is the Coming One?” Joanna asked.
Chuza thought on this question for a moment before he answered. “Joanna, what Jesus did was as much about us as it was about our sick son. He knew we needed much more than just believing that He could work miracles. It was His plan all along to heal our son in a way that challenged us to greater faith in Him. And it worked! At first, I believed in his power,” Chuza continued, “then I trusted in His words. Now I believe in Who He is…the Son of God and King of Israel!”
Joanna knelt down beside her son and hugged him. “And we owe Jesus everything!”

By Alan W. Harris
(Inspired by John 4:43-54)

(* Manaen is mentioned both in the Bible and secular history. He was the foster brother of Herod Antipas, was well educated, and became a follower of Jesus Christ. In Acts 13:1 Manaen is mentioned as being one of the primary teachers in the church at Antioch.)

10 – The Taste of Living Water

“Teacher?”
Jesus turned to face his disciple. “Yes, Andrew?”
“I want you to meet Eliezer and his group of companions. John the Baptizer sent them.”
“You are welcome, friends,” Jesus said with a smile.
“Hello, Teacher,” Eliezer returned humbly. He quickly looked at the others with him, who each gave him a nod of encouragement. “We are here to become your disciples, if you will have us.”
“Of course,” Jesus answered, looking at each of them. “It’s good to have you with us. There is much to do.”
“Oh, we are aware of that,” Eliezer returned eagerly. “One of the Pharisees confronted us the other day and mentioned that you are baptizing a lot more people than John.”
“Actually, we’re the ones doing the baptizing,” Rock, who was standing nearby, said, “not the Teacher.”
“I don’t think it matters to the religious leaders which ones of us do it,” James shot back. “What upsets them is that Jesus’s influence is growing. Throwing the merchants and money changers out of the temple has gotten them all upset with the Teacher. Knowing how many people we now have coming to us is really going to ruffle their feathers.”
“Wait! Wait!” Judas exclaimed. “This may be how we beat them!” All eyes turned to face the speaker. “The Jewish leaders are obviously working against the Teacher, but look at how many new followers we are getting! Every day more and more people are finding us here and listening to the Teacher’s words. Why, in a few weeks there will be so many people with us that the religious leaders won’t dare oppose us.”
Smiles and nods of understanding swept across the disciple’s faces.
“Judas is right,” Rock agreed. “Every day our numbers almost double! All we have to do is stay right here, keep doing what we’re doing, and in a few days we will have a force too big for them to stop!
“What do you think, Teacher?”
Jesus looked at all of their eager faces and said, “Gather your things. We’re leaving for Galilee.”
Everyone was dumbfounded, but before they could raise an argument, Jesus had thrown on his cloak and was walking north. There was a mad scramble as the followers rushed to grab their few possessions and hurry after their master.
“WAIT!” Judas cried after the others. “You’re all going the wrong way!”
Young John turned back to check on his friend.
“John, run up and tell the Teacher that we need to cross the river here where it’s shallow to travel up the east bank.”
“We aren’t going up the east bank,” John answered. “Jesus is going through Samaria.”
“WHAT?” Judas was horrified. “But there are…there are…SAMARITANS there! We can’t go that way! It’s unclean! Seriously, we can’t go through Samaria!”
“That’s the way Jesus always goes from Galilee to Judea,” John answered. “It’s the way we came down. It’s not so bad.”
“Oh, it’s not so bad for you Galileans,” Judas shot back, “but for those of us civilized people who know what it means to be clean according to the Law, it’s terrible! I can’t believe this!”
“Well, it’s where we’re going,” John returned. “So are you traveling with us, or are you staying here?”
Judas made a face and gave a shudder. “I’m going with you, but let me tell you something, little fisherman. The only part of me that’s going to touch anything in Samaria are the soles of my sandals.”
“Then you’re probably going to get pretty hungry and thirsty before we get to Galilee,” John said with a smile.
With a snort Judas wrapped his cloak tightly around himself for protection and shuffled behind John.

After a long, hot day of traveling the dusty roads of Judea and Samaria, Jesus and His disciples came upon an ancient well out in the country. It was late in the afternoon(*), and they were all tired, hungry, and thirsty, but no one had anything to draw water with.
Philip picked up a small rock and tossed it into the dark hole. The splash below told him what he wanted to know. “That’s a deep well,” he said. “Without a pitcher and a long rope, we won’t be getting water out of it.”
“I can see the village of Sychar about a half a mile up the road,” Rock called out. “We can get what we need there. Come on.”
After a few steps Rock stopped the group and looked back. Jesus was sitting on the rock wall beside the well and was looking around. “Teacher,” Rock asked, “Are you coming with us?”
“I’m going to rest here,” Jesus answered with a wave. “Go purchase some food for us in the village.”
“But, Teacher…,” Rock began, but Jesus cut him off.
“I’ll be here when you get back.” As He spoke, He continued searching the area.
“What’s He doing?” Thomas, whose nickname was Twin, asked in a low voice to James and John as they left for the village. “He’s usually the last one to stop and rest. It’s like He’s looking for someone.”

The disciples were quite near Sychar when a woman carrying a pitcher on her head and holding a coil of rope passed them heading the other direction, but they ignored her and hurried to the market before it closed for the day.
The woman was annoyed when she saw a man sitting at the well. She had hoped that she could be alone. The reason she made the long walk to this well was to avoid all the tongue-wagging biddies at the well in town. The last thing she wanted to do right now was deal with people.
When she got close enough, she spotted the man’s prayer shawl. That’s a Jew! The realization surprised her. What’s a Jew doing here? Jews don’t come here! He must be a criminal or an outcast…but what’s a criminal doing with a prayer shawl? Maybe he stole it!
When she reached the well, she set her jar on the wall and carefully began to lower it into the water with the rope that she had attached to its handles. The almost fifty pounds of water and pot took some strength for her to haul back up.
The whole time Jesus had been watching the woman out of the corner of His eye.
She was nearing forty years old. It was obvious that she had been attractive as a younger woman, but Jesus could see a lot of hard lines in her face from the difficult life she had led.
“Give me a drink,” Jesus said when she had her jar resting back on the wall.
The request shocked the woman. Who did this Jew think he was? He shouldn’t even be here, he shouldn’t be talking to her, and he definitely shouldn’t be drinking from a Samaritan water jar! This guy needs lessons on how to be a Jew, she thought.
Her sharp tongue had gotten her into trouble all her life, and it probably was about to again, but she couldn’t help herself. “Excuse me, sir.” The woman’s voice was dripping with sarcasm. “How is it that you, being a Jew, are asking a Samaritan woman for a drink from her unclean water jar?”
Jesus ignored the obvious insult and said, “If you knew Who you were talking to and the gift God wants to give you, you would have been the one asking for a drink. If you would just ask, God would give you living water.”
A look of pure skepticism spread over the woman’s face. She made an exaggerated look into the well, then cast an eye on both sides of Jesus before she spoke again. “Uh, sir, you don’t have a jar or a bucket, and this well’s deep. How do you expect to get that living water?”
She should have stopped there, but she was annoyed at this Jew. So she thought she’d stick her barb in a little further. “This is Jacob’s Well,” she said again. “You know Jacob, don’t you? He’s the person all you Jews are named after. Jacob’s the one who gave us this well. He and his sons and his cattle drank from it. You’re not better than Jacob, are you?”
“Everyone who drinks Jacob’s water will thirst again,” Jesus returned, unperturbed, “but whoever drinks the water that I give shall never thirst. My water will become a fountain springing up within you producing eternal life.”
“Well, you got me there,” the woman said with a skeptical smile. “I could certainly use some water like that if it would keep me from having to come all the way out here to draw from this well. Let’s see that living water of yours.”
“Go call your husband and come back here,” Jesus returned.
The statement took her aback for a moment. It immediately brought to her mind how absolutely messed up her life was. But there was no way she was airing all of her dirty laundry to this stranger with the annoying smile on His face. Maybe she should tell him. After all, if this fellow really knew how awful she was, there’s no way he would keep talking to her, much less give her whatever kind of silly water he thinks he has. She finally opted of a more judicious answer. “I…uh…don’t have a husband.”
Jesus gave a little laugh and said, “Good answer! It was truthful, to the point, and shrewd, because you’ve actually had five husbands, and you’re not even married to the fellow you’re living with right now. So when you say, ‘I don’t have a husband,’ you’re speaking the truth.”
On hearing this, the woman’s mouth dropped open, and for the first time in as long as she could remember, she was at a loss for words. Her first response was to look around to see who could have told this man about her life. Seeing no one, the realization struck her that this was no criminal or outcast. This was a man of God with miraculous knowledge, and she flushed with embarrassment.
She raised her eyes to look at him and recognized something in the look the man was giving her. He wasn’t ridiculing her or condemning her. It was like he felt compassion for her. But even if she wanted to get right with God, it was impossible for her. Everyone around here knew her wicked life and wouldn’t let her go to the high place on Mount Gerazim where all the Samaritans worshiped, and the Jews wouldn’t let a Samaritan woman anywhere near their temple in Jerusalem. She really didn’t have any good options.
With a much humbler tone, the woman said, “Sir, it’s obvious that you’re a prophet, but I really don’t know what to do. The high place on the mountain is where we Samaritans worship, and you Jews say we should go to Jerusalem, but neither group want a person like me there.”
“Madam,” Jesus answered sincerely, “I want you to trust Me in what I’m about to say. There is coming a time when people will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans who worship on this mountain don’t really know what you’re doing, but we Jews do, because the Father has determined that salvation for all people comes through the Jews. But the time has finally come when true worshipers shall worship the Father—not in a specific place, but genuinely and truly in their spirits. The Father is searching for people like that to be His worshipers. People just like you.”
The woman was amazed at what she was hearing and wanted to ask how this could possibly be, but the man responded before the question left her lips. “This really shouldn’t surprise you if you think about it. God is a spirit, right—a spirit that sees everything and knows what’s in your heart? Then it makes sense that those who worship Him must do so in their spirit and in truthfulness.”
This man who apparently knew her life inside and out was telling her things she had never heard before. They sounded wonderful and rang of truth in her heart, but she didn’t know if she should believe them or not. Suddenly an idea came to her that she hadn’t thought of since she was a girl. “I know that Messiah, the Christ, is coming,” she began. “When He comes, He will teach us everything.”
With a smile Jesus answered, “That’s exactly who I am.”
The woman’s eyes grew wide, and her mouth dropped open when she heard this. Leaving her water jar still sitting on the wall, she turned to run back to town and ran into the returning disciples. She pushed off Judas and kept running.
With a look of complete disgust, the disciple frantically began trying to brush the Samaritan cooties off his clothing.
“We brought you some food, Teacher,” Rock announced as they presented the purchased fare.
With a chuckle Jesus took a glance at the retreating woman and said, “I’ve had a wonderful meal that you don’t know about.” The Teacher could see the questioning looks in His disciple’s eyes, so He added, “The food that I enjoy the most is to do my Father’s will and to accomplish His work. It’s delicious, and I never get tired of it.”

When the woman reached Sychar, she ran excitedly up to everyone she saw, exclaiming, “Come see a man who told me every wicked thing I’ve ever done! Could this be the Messiah?”
Intrigued by the woman’s frank and enthusiastic testimony, people began streaming out of town to meet this man was who had caused such excitement and change in this person they all knew.

“How long until harvest, Nathaniel?” Jesus asked.
“Oh, harvest is a good four months away.”
“I’m telling you, the fields are white for harvest right now!” As Jesus said this, he stood and pointed at the crowd hurrying to them from Sychar. “Look at all those coming to us! When we reap this crop, we will be gathering fruit, not for the barn, but for eternal life! Neither you nor I sowed this crop, but we’re going to reap it!”

Excited both by the woman’s testimony and by the wonderful words of Jesus himself, the people of Sychar asked Him to stay, and He remained with them for two days. People marveled not only at the healing power that came from Him, but also at the wonderful stories He told and the messages they contained. At the end of that time, many of the Samarians believed in Jesus, telling the woman, “Your witness was powerful, but now we have seen an even greater witness. We have heard for ourselves the words of Jesus and are convinced that He is the Savior of the world!”

By Alan W. Harris
(Inspired by John 4:1-42)

(* In John’s Gospel times of day are referenced in Roman time not Jewish time. So in this story John mentions that it was about the sixth hour when Jesus reached Jacob’s Well, which in Roman time would make it close to six in the afternoon.)

9 – The Law of Increase and Decrease

After the Passover Jesus decided to remain in Judea with His disciples, making camp beside the Jordan River. As more and more people sought out the miracle-working teacher, large crowds were a regular occurrence. Many in the daily audiences were moved to repent of their selfish lives and lukewarm or nonexistent religion. These Jesus sent to His disciples, who were standing in the Jordan waiting to baptize those who came.
About twenty miles north at Aenon, near Salim, John the Baptizer was preaching to those who came to him and was baptizing whoever was moved by God’s words.
“Hey, you!” the words were said by a Pharisee standing at the edge of the crowd along the banks of the Jordan. The people were watching the steady stream of people wading out to the Baptizer to commit their lives to serving God. “I’m talking to you,” the Pharisee called again. “Yes, you. You are one of the Baptizer’s disciples, aren’t you?”
Eliezer of Jericho turned to face the speaker. “Yes, I am. Many of us here are.” As he said this, eight other men standing beside him turned to face the Pharisee.
“Well, maybe all of you can tell me what this is all about,” the Pharisee demanded. “How is getting dunked in the Jordan by this man helping people keep the Law?”
“It’s about humbling yourself before God and drawing close to Him,” Eliezer answered to the nods of agreement from his companions.
“Why would God want smelly people close to Him?” the Jew shot back. “He wants people to keep His laws.”
“It is our sins that make us smell badly to God,” another disciple returned. “Isaiah said, ‘The Lord’s hand is not so short that it cannot save, neither is His ear so dull that He cannot hear, but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.’”
“That is what the Baptizer is doing,” Eliezer added. “Today he taught us from the words of Zephaniah the prophet: ‘I will remove from your midst your proud, exulting ones, and you will never again be haughty on My holy mountain. But I will leave among you a humble and lowly people, and they will take refuge in the name of the Lord.’”
“Hmm,” the Pharisee muttered. “So this baptizing he’s doing is some kind of purification like is mentioned in the Law?”
“Yes,” Eliezer returned, “but it is a purification on the inside.”
“Alright,” the Pharisee nodded. “I suppose that’s acceptable. But you better tell your master to preach harder. I just came from seeing what this Jesus of Nazareth is doing, and He’s baptizing a whole lot more people than your master is.”

As soon as John baptized the last person, Eliezer and the others rushed to meet him. “Teacher,” the disciple said urgently, “we have just heard some very disturbing news! Jesus, the teacher from Nazareth who was with you beyond the Jordan, the very one you bore witness about, is now baptizing, and everyone is going to him instead of coming to you! Something must be done about this!”
John gave his friends a comforting look and smiled. “Don’t let this worry you. A man can only receive what God gives him. I have been given my ministry, and Jesus has been given His.
“Each of you are my witnesses,” John continued looking his followers in the eyes. “I have made it very clear that I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent before Him, to prepare the way for Him.”
The disciples’ nods of understanding also showed a look of disappointment.
“My friends,” John said eagerly, putting his hands on the two closest ones, “He who has the bride is the bridegroom! That’s not me! I am the friend of the bridegroom. I am the one who stands and hears Him, and when I hear the bridegroom’s voice, it fills me with joy! Do you hear what I’m saying? When I hear that Jesus is teaching and reaching many more people than I am, it causes this joy of mine to be absolutely full!”
The huge grin and joyful look on the Baptizer’s face caused involuntary smiles to appear on his disciples.
Suddenly John got very serious. “Listen to me, all of you! This is very important! He must increase, but I must decrease. Do you know why? He must increase because He comes from above and He is above all. I must decrease because, like you, I am from the earth, and what I say is about earthly things. What Jesus has seen and heard is from above, and He is faithfully bearing witness to what God has given Him. Sadly, few will listen to Him, but those who do will know for certain that Jesus of Nazareth, the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world, is speaking the true words of God!”
“So this man Jesus,” one of the disciples asked, “is the true Messiah?”
“Yes, Judah,” John shot back. “But He is also more than that! I have seen and heard the very witness of God Himself declaring to me that Jesus the Messiah is also the Son of God!” The Baptizer paused a moment to let that sink in.
“The Father loves the Son,” John continued, “and has given all things into His hands! Did you hear what I said? ALL THINGS have been given into His hands. Following me is not where eternal life is. My teaching will only take you so far. Eternal life is for those who believe in the Son of God.”
“Teacher,” Eliezer said, “if you say that this Jesus is the Messiah and is God’s Son, then I will believe it because of your words. So does that mean I now have eternal life?”
“That is not the kind of faith that brings you life,” John shot back. “The faith that God wants is a faith that is so convinced about the truth of who Jesus is that it changes the believer. That kind of faith motivates the believer to obey what his Master tells him. It is a responsive faith, like Abraham, Moses, and David had. Anyone who does not have a faith like this will not see life. What they will see is the wrath of God.” Looking around at his faithful followers, John could tell his words had touched their hearts.
“Listen to me, all of you,” John said with a smile. “Your faithfulness and loyalty have meant a great deal to me, but you should not be here, devoting yourselves to the friend of the bridegroom. Your faithful devotion should be to the bridegroom. He is the only one who can give you life!”
“John…,” Eliezer began sadly.
But the Baptizer cut him off. “He must increase, and I must decrease! It’s not that He should increase…He MUST Increase, and I must decrease! That is true for your lives as well.”
By Alan W. Harris
(Based on John 3:22-36)

8 – Winds of Change

“Now this was an exciting day!” John of Bethsaida said to his brother James and to Andrew and Rock, who stood nearby. The sun had set, and they and the rest of the disciples were watching Jesus as he talked with a mother and her child, whose leg injury Jesus had just healed.
Jesus and his followers had been in the wide courtyard of the temple for almost six hours. The Teacher had taught a large crowd, mesmerizing them with His stories about the kingdom of God. Then to everyone’s surprise, He invited all who wished to be healed to come forward. It was amazing how many aches, pains, and sicknesses there were in the crowd. The most impressive healing was the workman who had lost three of his fingers several years ago. Jesus talked to him for a few minutes, then asked him to stretch out his hand, and when he did, three new fingers just sprouted right out.
It was all very wonderful, but it had been a long day, and the disciples were ready to go back to their camp and get something to eat.
“It’s been exciting all right,” Judas of Kerioth, who was standing beside John and the others, answered, “but I think the Teacher could do all this much more efficiently. Maybe He could do more group healings rather than spend so much time with each individual. You should talk to Him about that, Rock.”
Rock nodded his head in agreement, but just then they saw the mother and child walking away, and Jesus turned to the disciples. As their master led them down the darkening street and out the gate to the Mount of Olives, none of them noticed a small figure, darting from shadow to shadow, following them.

“There’s no doubt, Joseph,” the robed Pharisee said as he paced back and forth in the spacious living room of the large, nicely furnished home, “He’s actually performing miracles! Several of my students watched Him this afternoon.”
“Then the reports we’ve been hearing are true!” Joseph of Arimathea answered. “You know what that means, don’t you, Nicodemus?”
“It means a lot of things,” the first Pharisee returned. “First of all, it means trouble. You heard how angry the chief priests were when they told the Sanhedrin about this Nazarene running all the merchants and money changers out of the temple.”
“I was so excited when I heard that He did that,” Joseph said with a grin, “but I didn’t dare show it.”
“A lot of us knew it had needed to be done,” Nicodemus answered, “but nobody had the courage to face the wrath of Annas or Caiaphas. Justified as it may have been, this Jesus character has made enemies of the priestly party.”
“But, Nicodemus, if He’s actually performing these miracles we’ve been hearing about, that means God is with Him. He’s not a faker like so many of the others.”
“And if God is with Him to do the miracles,” Nicodemus added, “that means His words are coming from God as well!”
“They have to be,” Joseph agreed, “otherwise God wouldn’t give Him the power to work the miracles! We’ve got to talk with Him!”
“I have implemented a plan to do just that,” Nicodemus returned, “but I think I should go alone. If two members of the Sanhedrin show up on His doorstep, He’s liable to be suspicious and guarded. Also, I’m not ready for my students to know I’ve talked with this new teacher yet…not until I’ve found out what He’s actually teaching. The Sanhedrin doesn’t know I’m doing this either. If they did, it might cause trouble for both of us. You stay here, and I’ll give you a full report when I get back.”
“You’re going tonight?”
“That’s my plan.”
“Well, if I can’t go, I want you to ask this teacher from God a question for me,” Joseph said with a gleam in his eye. “I don’t know of anyone who keeps the Law of Moses better than you and me. Our high position in the kingdom of God is assured, but Simeon of Emmaus and Abijah of Lydda are both well known for diligence in keeping the Law as well. I really want a higher place than either of them, so ask Jesus what else you and I can do to move up to the best positions in the kingdom of God.
“By the way, how are you going to find out where Jesus is staying?”
Nicodemus smiled at this question. “I have hired a spy.”
At that moment one of Nicodemus’s servants stepped in. “Excuse me, master, but there is a lad at your door named Benjamin who says he has some information for you.”

The Garden of Gethsemane was illuminated by a three-quarter moon that was only dimmed by occasional wispy clouds. Jesus and his followers had finished their meal, and the Teacher was explaining some of the parables He had told earlier in the day when a robed figure joined them. Rock saw him first and quickly leaped to his feet to confront the stranger.
“Who are you, and what do you want?” The big fisherman tried to sound as intimidating as he could.
“My name is Nicodemus, my good man. I am a teacher, and I have come to ask your master a few questions, if He would grant me the time.”
“Wait!” Judas exclaimed. “Are you the Nicodemus who is a member of the Sanhedrin?”
“I am,” the stranger returned unpretentiously.
Quickly shoving Rock out of the way, Judas bowed before their guest. “A thousand pardons, master!” he fawned. “Please forgive my companion’s ignorance! We didn’t know we had such a notable visitor.”
Turning to the others, Judas introduced the man. “My friends, this is Teacher Nicodemus, the most respected and sought after instructor in all of Israel!
“Teacher Nicodemus, may I introduce you to our master, Jesus of Nazareth.”
Jesus stood to greet the newcomer. “You are welcome here,” He said. “You have questions?”
“Yes, I do,” the Pharisee answered eagerly. “A friend and I have been very curious about something, but before I ask it, let me just say that we know that you are a teacher who has come from God because no one could do the miracles you do unless God is with him.”
Ignoring the intended compliment, Jesus looked straight into his eyes and answered the question that Nicodemus had not gotten around to asking yet. “I am telling you the truth—the absolute truth. Unless a person is born a second time, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Nicodemus was stunned! The teacher seemed to already know that he had been going to ask Joseph’s question, but His answer was that they would never even see the kingdom unless…what did He say? Something ridiculous about being born again. Even in the moonlight the confusion and irritation showed on the Pharisee’s face.
“How can a grown man be born over again?” Nicodemus snapped. This was not the answer he expected. “It’s preposterous! He cannot go back into his mother’s womb and be born all over again, can he?”
The Teacher come from God looked confidently into the soul of the teacher come from Jerusalem and answered, “I’m telling you the truth—the absolute truth. You must be born of water, and you must be born of the Spirit, otherwise you cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
Nicodemus, famous for his great learning, was thoroughly confused and at a loss for words. He was convinced Jesus was speaking God’s words, but they were words that shook him to the core. Not only were he and Joseph not possessors of great positions in God’s kingdom, but they could never even enter it unless they somehow could be born all over again into new people.
His thoughts were interrupted as Jesus spoke again. “Your parents, who were made of flesh, gave birth to a child, who was made of flesh. Whatever the flesh gives birth to is fleshly.” As Jesus said this, He put His hand on the Pharisee’s arm. “On the other hand, whatever the Spirit gives birth to is spiritual. If a person wants to become a child of God, that is a spiritual thing, and the only way that can happen is if they are born of the Spirit. Don’t be amazed that I said you must be born a second time.”
As Nicodemus struggled with these life changing ideas, a breeze picked up, shaking the limbs of the olive trees in the garden around them. The troubled teacher noticed and felt that his life was being shaken as well.
Jesus understood the Pharisee’s thoughts. “This spiritual birth I’m teaching you about, Nicodemus,” Jesus said again, “is just like the wind blowing through these trees. The wind blows anywhere it wants to. You hear the sound of it, and you see its effects, but there is a lot you can’t know about the wind. You don’t know where it comes from, you don’t know where it’s going, and you can’t control it, but you accept that and are content to let the wind do its work. That’s the way it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Once again Nicodemus was stunned! In the few moments he had been speaking with Jesus, his entire life had been turned upside down. If the Teacher was right, everything that he and Joseph had worked so hard to achieve was for nothing. How was he to explain all this to his friend? He didn’t even understand it himself. “H…how can these things be?” were the only words that would come from his lips.
“Are you THE Teacher of Israel,” Jesus asked, “and yet you can’t understand these things? I’m telling you the truth—the absolute truth. John the Baptizer and I speak about what we know, and we bear witness about what we have seen, but you and your companions do not accept what we say.”
Jesus placed his hand on the confused scholar’s shoulder and said, “If I have told you things about this earthly life and you don’t believe me, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has gone up into heaven to get these truths, but God has sent the Son of Man down from heaven to reveal these things.
“My Father in heaven loves you, Nicodemus, but no more than He loves the whole world. In fact, God loves the world so much that He gave His Son…the only one He has…to come into the world, so that anyone who believes in the Son would not perish but instead would have everlasting life.”
“But…but what about those who have not kept the Law of Moses?” the Pharisee asked almost desperately.
“No one has kept it like My Father wants it kept,” Jesus answered. “The Law was never meant to save man, but rather to reveal to man his sins. If salvation was about keeping the Law, then the Father would have sent His Son to judge the world. But that’s not why He was sent. God sent His son to save the world.
“Here’s some judgment for you, Nicodemus,” Jesus continued. “Light has come into the world, but because the hearts of men are evil, they love the darkness rather than the light. They actually hate God’s light and won’t come to it because they don’t want their evil deeds exposed. But the person who hears the truth—the absolute truth, come to the light. And do you know what the light does for that person, Nicodemus? The light reveals God’s work in the heart of that person.”

“Did He say anything else?” Joseph of Arimathea asked as he and Nicodemus discussed the meeting sometime later.
“Yes, He did,” Nicodemus returned. “It was rather cryptic, and I’m not yet sure what it means, but I think it was important. He said ‘as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; that whoever believes in Him have eternal life.’”
“I recall the story,” Joseph answered. “It’s from the book of Numbers. Our people sinned greatly by once again grumbling and complaining against God. Their punishment was that poisonous snakes came among them, killing many. God answered their cries for relief, not by removing the serpents, but by having Moses make a bronze snake and hanging it on a pole. Everyone who looked on the image of the serpent lived. What do you think Jesus meant by referencing that story?”
“I’m not sure,” Nicodemus answered. “He said that He was going to be lifted up like Moses’s bronze serpent, but looking at Him is not what saves people. Eternal life is going to come by believing in Him.”
“Believing in Him about what?” his friend asked.
“Joseph,” Nicodemus said seriously, “He said He was the Son of God!”
“Isn’t that blasphemy?” Joseph gasped.
“Not if it’s true,” came the answer. “Remember, Joseph, His miracles prove that He speaks the truth.”
Now it was Joseph’s turn to be stunned. Both friends sat in silence as they tried to grasp the implications of what they had learned.
Finally Joseph spoke again. “I don’t know what to do with all this. My whole life has been about practicing our religion, but He says it’s not about being religious, it’s about letting God’s Spirit somehow change you into a whole new person. He says it’s not about keeping the Law, it’s about believing in this man who says He’s the Son of God. And what about this being born of the Spirit? How does that work? How are we supposed to even know when the Spirit of God is speaking to us?”
Nicodemus looked at his friend and answered, “I think He’s speaking now.”

By Alan W. Harris
(Based on John 3:1-21)

7 – Holy Temples of God

When the wedding celebration in Cana came to an end, Jesus decided to go down to Capernaum rather than back to Nazareth. After witnessing the miracle, the disciples were so excited that they would have followed Jesus anywhere. Even Mary was so enthusiastic about her Son’s work that she also followed Him to Capernaum. The brothers of Jesus, since they had not yet come to faith in Him, were not enthusiastic about their brother’s work, but they were curious, and deciding not let their mother travel so far without escorting her, off they went.
Jesus remained in northern Galilee for several days, teaching, performing miraculous healings, and meeting the friends and family members of His disciples who were from there. It was spring, and there was a restless energy in the air. No one had their mind on their work because the Passover was near.
The Passover was one of the three major festivals that every Jewish man was required to go to Jerusalem to attend. But it wasn’t just a man thing. Many of them took their wives and children as well. It was estimated that the population of Jerusalem swelled to over two million people during Passover.
For the Roman governor, Passover was a security nightmare. He was responsible for maintaining order and keeping the peace when the city was bursting at the seams with passionate people boiling over with nationalistic fervor. The disciples were especially excited about the Passover. It would be the perfect time for Jesus to do some great miracle and show everyone that He was the King of Israel.
“Just one good miracle in front of all those people,” Rock said privately to Andrew and the sons of Zebedee, “and the whole nation will rise up and crown Him king!”
“He could make more wine!” John said excitedly.
“We don’t want ‘em drunk, brother,” James chided.
“I agree with James,” Rock chuckled and patted John good-naturedly on the shoulder. “I don’t know what it needs to be, but Jesus has to do some powerful public sign so that everybody can see who He is and what He stands for.”
“I don’t care how much you tease me,” John shot back. “I’m excited! We know Who Jesus is! Hardly anyone else knows, but we do! That means that when Jesus is recognized as the king, we will be known as His followers…His ministers! No more of this ‘John the fisherman of Bethsaida.’ If we stick with Jesus, we’re gonna be somebody…all of us!”
“Maybe He’ll make you the court fool,” James said and smiled in a way that he knew would make John furious, which it did.

As the time for the Passover drew nearer, Jesus and his disciples joined the large crowd making the trip to Jerusalem. Jesus had acquired several more followers. Among them were Levi the tax collector, who nobody really liked but Jesus, and Simon, who in private conversation let it slip out that he had been one of the assassins who had been trying to kill Roman soldiers. When Simon found out that Levi had been collecting the Roman taxes from the people, there was immediate tension between them. The fact that both of them were committed to following Jesus was the only thing that kept peace.
“If worthless people like you wouldn’t help the Romans do their dirty work,” Simon said, taking another jab at Levi, “we could have gotten rid of them long ago.”
“And if cutthroats like you would leave the Romans alone, so many innocent people would not have died,” Matthew, as he now preferred to be called, shot back.
”I think both of you are a couple of fish heads,” said Judas of Kerioth disdainfully. “Why the Teacher lets you stay with Him is beyond my comprehension. You’re nothing more than outcasts. Think about it. What can either of you do to benefit His kingdom? He needs less people like you and more people like me—educated, intelligent, and connected.”
“Come on, Judas,” young John said as he walked along nearby listening to the three of them. “Just because you’re the only one of us from Judea instead of Galilee and you’ve been educated, doesn’t mean you’re better than the rest of us.”
“What are you thinking, young one?” Judas shot back confidently. “Of course it does! That’s why I’m in charge of the money box and not one of you. Jesus is going to really need accomplished people like me to be His councilors, advisors…hmm, or maybe His treasurer!
“Oh, don’t worry,” Judas continued, putting a hand on John’s shoulder, “Jesus will always have plenty of grunt work for people like you Galileans. I’ll tell you what, John, you stick close to me, and I’ll teach you some of what I know. I’ll make you the smartest fisherman in…uh…wherever you’re from.”
“Bethsaida.”
“Whatever.”

It was well into the afternoon when Jesus and his party topped the Mount of Olives and saw the city of Jerusalem spread out below them. The Temple, with its beautiful white stones rising majestically from the top of Mount Zion, looked like a sparkling diamond in a gorgeous setting. The group stopped to take in the awe-inspiring view.
Jesus led them down the slope and across the Kidron Valley to the entrance to the city. Hurrying up the hilly streets, they entered the Temple complex, crossed the large courtyard with the large altar, and entered the outer court.
The noise was deafening: sheep bleating, calves bawling, and those selling them and the doves for sacrifice haggling for the best price.
“It stinks in here!” John announced as he viewed the chaos filling the Court of the Gentiles. “What is all this?”
“You are only allowed to sacrifice an animal that the priests have approved,” Judas answered.
“I knew that,” John returned. “The animal you offer has to be without a blemish of any kind.”
“Well, it’s become common for the priests to reject a lot of the animals people bring with them. That means they have to buy an approved one. These in here are the ‘approved ones.’ Any sheep, bull, or dove you purchase from these sellers comes with a tag that says the animals are pre-approved by the priests for sacrifice.”
“That sounds like a racket,” John answered. “Why do the priests even allow this?”
“It is a racket,” Judas returned. “The priests allow it because they are the ones who set it up. Annas and Caiaphas, the chief priests, get a nice cut of the profits that these sellers rake in. The money changers are part of it too. Everyone is required to pay the Temple tax, but the Hebrew sheckle is the only coin that’s accepted. If you don’t have Hebrew coins, the money changers will be happy to exchange your foreign money for some.”
“For a hefty fee, I expect,” John said.
“Of course,” Judas returned. “The priests get a big cut out of that money as well.”
Jesus stood taking in the scene for several minutes, then turned and quickly strode out of the Temple. They made a stop in the market to buy some bread, after which Jesus led them to the Mount of Olives. He headed to the small garden located on top, eventually sitting down under an ancient olive tree.
“We’ll spend the night here,” the teacher announced.
The bread was quickly passed around, but Jesus didn’t take any. He was deep in thought.
Finally Rock broke the silence. “Teacher, there are a lot of people in Jerusalem right now, and I think this would be the perfect opportunity for You to announce Who You are. Here’s what I think you should do…”
“Do you know where My Heavenly Father’s temple is?” Jesus asked, cutting off his disciple.
“Well, yeah,” Rock answered. “It’s right over there.”
“My Father’s temple is the place where He dwells,” Jesus returned, “and He doesn’t dwell in that beautiful building you pointed at. My Father dwells in the hearts of those who truly love Him, who humble themselves before Him and seek His face. He dwells here.” When He said this, Jesus pointed at Rock’s heart and then at the chests of the others.
“Now if God dwells in your hearts, that makes your bodies His temple.”
When he heard these words, Rock began to smile and stand tall. As he considered that his rough, calloused body was a temple of God, a feeling of pride and a sense of honor spread over him. It was like John had said; he really was somebody!
Suddenly the look on Jesus’ face turned fierce. “DO NOT BRING FILTH INTO MY FATHER’S HOUSE!”
The disciples were shocked at the change.
“MY FATHER IS HOLY! YOU MUST BE HOLY ALSO!” As soon as He said this, Jesus walked away from them a short distance and dropped to His knees to pray.
The pride Rock and the others had felt was gone. In its place came a serious examination of their lives. Rock remembered the many times he had cursed and took God’s name in vain. He remembered the times he had hidden his boat in order to sneak out to fish at night without paying the port tax. On more than one occasion, he had spoken abusively to his wife and children. As he considered the utter sinfulness of his life, a wave of discouragement swept over him. How in the world could he ever be holy? “I can’t do it!” he finally concluded. “There’s no way! If I’m a temple of God then I must be made out of sand. I can never be holy!”

Early the next morning Jesus woke the others with one word, “Come!”
They jumped to their feet and hurriedly threw their cloaks on as they rushed to catch up with their master. No one knew what was happening, but from the look on His face, Jesus clearly had a firm purpose in mind.
They marched down the hill, through the gate, and up the street that led to the Temple. Without pause the Teacher went straight into the Court of the Gentiles. The merchants were in their places and were yelling their prices to those who entered to worship. Draped over one of the stalls was a bundle of cords used for tying up the animals. Jesus grabbed a handful and doubled them as He strode purposefully to the far end of the large court. When he reached the last of the animal stalls, he yanked open the gate and began lashing the animals and their sellers, driving them before Him.
“YOU WILL NOT MAKE MY FATHER’S HOUSE A STOCKYARD!” He yelled. The fierce fire of passion in His eyes ended all resistance. He moved back and forth across the court, going from one set of pens to the next, lashing with His makeshift whip and yelling His righteous fury at everyone in His way.
“Well, you wanted some great sign to make Him popular,” James said to Rock as they stood with the others watching the display of unleashed anger.
“This wasn’t it!” Rock cried in despair as he rubbed his face with his large hands.
“Stop Him, Simon!” John cried. “This isn’t what we wanted! The people are going to hate Him!”
“I can’t stop Him!” Rock shot back. “Look at His face! No one can stop Him!”
“The chief priests are going to kill Him!” Judas added.
When Jesus got to the money changers, he flipped over their tables, scattering coins everywhere. As the terrified men scrambled to collect their coins, Jesus rushed to those who sold doves. The men jumped on top of the cages to keep the angry Teacher from tearing open the lids and releasing the birds.
“GET THESE THINGS OUT OF HERE!” He yelled to all of them. “THIS IS MY FATHER’S HOUSE, NOT A MARKET!”
The whole episode only took a few minutes. Once the sellers and money changers realized that Jesus meant business, they ran out with all they could carry. Jesus was left standing in the court, red-faced and breathing hard.
“We need to get Him out of here,” Rock said to the others.
“Too late,” Judas announced as he looked up and saw a delegation of very angry priests marching straight towards them.
“See here!” one of the priests called loudly as they arrived. “What is the meaning of this?”
“That’s exactly what I want to know!” Jesus shot back, the fire beginning to flash in His eyes again. “What is the meaning of this? This place is a house of prayer for all the nations, but you have made it a den of thieves!”
The righteousness of Jesus’s words destroyed any argument the men were going to make, so they changed the subject. “Who do you think you are…some prophet or something? Prove yourself! Give us some sign to show us who you are!”
John began elbowing James in expectation of something big that would follow.
Still breathing hard, Jesus looked each of the priests in the eyes, placed His hand on His chest, and answered, “You want a sign? Okay, here’s your sign, destroy this Temple, and in three days I will raise it up!”
“It took forty years to build this Temple, and would you raise it up in three days?” the spokesman fired back. “Preposterous!”
“He’s obviously crazy,” one of the others said.
Turning to the disciples, the priest said, “Get him out of here!” Then the delegation stormed out, leaving Jesus, the disciples, and the wreckage behind.
Still flushed from His exertion and with sweat streaming from His face, Jesus looked at each of His followers. Finally He said, “Cleansing the Temple is not your work. I will make you holy.”

By Alan W. Harris
(Based on John 2:13-22)

6 – Jars of Christ

It took two days of steady walking for Jesus and His new followers to reach Nazareth in the mountains of Galilee. Jesus’ mother, Mary, was excited to see Him when they came dragging in at the end of the second day.
“I’m so glad you came home!” Mary said as she hugged her son. “And who are these?” she asked as she looked to the six men behind Him.
“They are friends who have traveled with me from Judea,” Jesus answered. “I have brought them here as my guests.
“Friends, this is my mother, Mary.”
“You’re all welcome,” she said with an inclusive gesture, “but I’m not sure what we’ll eat. We’re running around like chickens getting ready to leave for Cana first thing in the morning.”
“Cana?” Nathaniel questioned. “That’s my home. Why are you going there?”
“One of our cousins is marrying the son of Eliab, the merchant.”
“I know the family,” the son of Talmai answered. “Eliab is a very successful cloth merchant. Your cousin should be well cared for.”
“Don’t worry about supper,” Rock said to Mary as he walked in. “When we entered Nazareth, we purchased some loaves of bread, raisin cakes, and pickled fish.”
“Wonderful!” Mary returned. “I’ll have one of my daughters thicken up what’s left of the lentil soup we had at midday, and we can dip the bread in that. All of you get cleaned up, and Jesus, introduce your friends to your brothers.”

After an early start the next morning, the small procession made its way north for the two-and-a-half-hour walk through the mountains to Cana. The wedding was a big one, and many friends and family both from Cana and the surrounding villages were invited. When the ceremony was concluded and the celebration began, Mary was whisked away to help with the preparations, which she was delighted to do. The food was delicious and abundant, and many pitchers of wine were brought out to serve the large crowd. The singing was loud and enthusiastic, and the dancing was happy and energetic.
The party had been going on for several hours, but according to custom, it was just getting started. As Mary was bringing another large basket of sweet bread to set on the food table, she spotted several of the servants grouped by the storeroom having a very animated discussion.
“What is wrong?” she asked with concern when she joined the group.
“The steward told us to keep the wine available to all the guests, but there is no more wine!” one said in desperation.
“No!” Mary cried. “That can’t be!”
“But it is!” another cried. “This is the only storeroom! The old steward said everything was purchased for the wedding, but then he got into an argument with Eliab, and he was let go. He must have never bought all the wine, and the new steward didn’t know! This is awful!”
“It’s actually worse than not having enough food!” the first servant added. “People will talk about the disaster of this wedding for years! The family will never live the shame down!”
By now Mary was in tears, then suddenly a thought came to her. What had the angel said to her at the very beginning? You will conceive and bear a son, and name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Israel forever…. Both Elijah and Elisha the prophets caused almost-empty pots to continue flowing with oil and meal miraculously. Something better than Elijah and Elisha is here, she told herself.
“Have you told the steward yet?” Mary asked.
“No, we just discovered it ourselves. These pitchers we’re carrying are the very last of the wine!” the first servant returned.
“Don’t tell him yet,” Mary ordered. “I know someone who can help.”
It took her a few minutes to find Jesus in the crowd. She saw that one of the servants was just offering to fill His cup with the last of the wine. Hurrying over, she put her hand over His cup and said, “They have run completely out of wine! There’s no more, and what’s in those pitchers is the last!”
Jesus looked at His mother, fully comprehending what she was saying and what it meant to the family. Finally He said, “Madame, what to me and to you? (* See below) It’s not time yet.” Then He pulled his cup away from her hand, nodded to the servant, and allowed him to fill His cup with wine. Turning, he led his followers over to get in line to bless the bride and groom.
Mary stood there taking in what He had said. He had not addressed her as Mother or Mama. Instead He used the polite but formal term Madame. She had known that when He decided to take up His mantle as King of Israel, their relationship had to change. The King had gently let her know what her place was now. He had been her son, now He was to be her Lord. She had delivered Him as a baby, now He would be her deliverer. He had let her know that this was His business, not hers, and that He would deal with it at the proper time.
With confidence she turned to the servant holding the pitcher and pointed to Jesus. “Whatever He tells you to do,” she said authoritatively, “do it. And tell the others.”
A short time later Jesus approached the group of concerned servants standing near the entrance of the family home. There was a look of desperation on each of their faces. None of them wanted to be the one to tell the steward what had happened.
“Mary said you could help,” one of the servants said as Jesus and his followers drew near.
Close to the entrance of the house, Jesus spotted six large pots against the wall. All of the guests had used the water in the pots to perform the cleansing ceremony people traditionally did before they entered a home. Each container had held close to thirty gallons of water, but as Jesus glanced in, He saw that they were now almost empty. Turning to the servants, Jesus said, “Fill the jars with water.”
“Master, that’s going to take some time,” the spokesman for the servants said.
“It will be worth it,” Jesus returned with a smile.
“Get jugs from the storeroom to carry the water!” the first servant ordered as he led the way.
“How far is the well?” Andrew asked as he watched the group of servants hurry out the door.
“The public well is just down the street,” Nathaniel answered confidently.
“Friends,” Jesus said calling his followers to Him, “have you noticed that there are six jars here, and there are six of you. I want you to think of yourselves as My jars.”
“Look,” Rock said with a mischievous look, “the last pot is shorter than the rest. That must be you, John!”
Everyone laughed at that…everyone except John. He was red-faced and not happy.
“Don’t let that bother you, John,” a smiling Jesus said as he put his arm around His young follower. “What people say is unimportant. What is important is to know that my Father in heaven loves you very much and that I am your good friend.”
“Don’t mind him, Lord,” James said, still smiling. “That kid’s full of anger. I guess we both have short tempers.”
“Friends,” Jesus returned, “it’s not what you were; it’s what I will make you that matters.”
At this point the servants returned and began to dump the water in their jugs into the large pots.
“Your lives are like these large jars,” the Teacher explained. “They were mostly empty. But if you remain with Me, I will fill you.”
“With water?” Rock laughed.
“Yes, with water!” Jesus returned seriously. “But the water that I will fill you with will be like no water you have ever had. It will be a water from above…a water that gives life! It will be a spiritual water from My Father in heaven that will change you from within and make you into God’s true children. Then you will be a source of God’s life and love to others.”
Almost an hour later the last of the six large pots had been filled with water. The first servant set down his jug and turned to Jesus. “There you are, Master,” he said, still breathing hard from the exertion. “All of the large jars are filled to the brim, but how is that going to help us get more wine?”
Jesus looked into the man’s eyes and said with a confidence that demanded obedience, “Now draw some out and take it to the steward.”
The other servants looked at one another with relief. At least they would not have to face the steward with the news.
Nervously the first servant looked at the jars of water and back to Jesus. “Y…you want me to take some of the water to the steward?”
Still looking into the man’s eyes, Jesus nodded affirmatively.
The servant’s hands visibly trembled as he dipped a pitcher into one of the jars and turned to make his way cautiously across the room to the steward. He had to wait as the overseer finished his conversation with the groom’s mother.
“People are asking for more wine,” the woman said sternly to the steward.
“I will see to it, Madame!” When he turned to deal with the problem, he almost bumped into the servant with the pitcher.
“The guests need more wine!” he snapped at the servant. Without saying a word, the servant simply raised the full pitcher toward the steward. “I guess this is the reserve batch?” the steward asked. The servant nodded his agreement, unwilling to reveal anything.
“Well, let’s see how bad this stuff is!” As the steward spoke, he grabbed a cup nearby and presented it. Nervously the servant tilted the pitcher and watched the liquid pour into the cup. The servant gave an audible gasp and almost lost his grip on the pitcher when he saw that what came out was not clear but deep red.
“Careful, man! You almost spilled some on me!” With an annoyed look on his face, the steward tasted the liquid in his cup. As he did so, the look on his face changed. He smacked his lips and took another drink.
“My word! This wine is delicious!” Looking at the servant, he added. “You must have gotten the wine mixed up and served the reserve first.”
“No, sir!” the servant insisted. “I know for certain that the wine purchased to be served first has been. This is definitely the…uh…reserve.”
Looking around, the steward saw the bridegroom not far away, and he hurried over to him, waving the servant to follow. Pointing to the groom’s cup, he had the servant fill it.
“Master,” the steward began, “I am astonished! I have served many masters and have been the headwaiter at many celebrations, but I have never seen anyone do what you have done today! Everybody else serves the good wine first, and when the guests have drunk freely, then they serve the poorer reserve wine; but you have kept the good wine until now! I have never tasted wine any better than this!”
Not really understanding what had happened but being unwilling to sound ignorant, the bridegroom just smiled and nodded in agreement. He took a sip of the wine and turned to join his bride. “Umm, this is good!” he murmured to himself.
When the steward saw the servant still there, he barked an order. “Well, don’t just stand there…fill everyone’s cup!”
Still awestruck, the servant sniffed his pitcher and smelled the heady aroma of sweet wine. Looking up, he spotted the other servants staring at him from the entrance. With a large grin on his face, the first servant lifted the pitcher over his head and nodded excitedly at the others.
It was with an attitude of awe and wonder that each servant filled his pitcher with the wine from the large stone jars. Each one also took a moment to bow his head reverently before Jesus as they went to serve the crowd.
When the followers of Jesus realized what had happened, they grabbed cups and rushed to taste the water that had become wine. There were cheers, slaps on the back, and cries of amazement until they turned to look at the Teacher. They all became silent and stood in awe as they understood what the Jesus had done.
“You are my jars,” Jesus said as He looked each of them in the eyes, “and I will fill you.”
“He’s not just a teacher, is He?” Philip said to the Nathaniel.
“He said we would see greater things!” the son of Talmai said with a grin. “Get ready, Philip! We’re following the Son of God…the King of Israel!”

By Alan W. Harris
(Inspired by John 2:1-11, and Luke 1:26-33)

[*The phrase “what to me and to you” is a Hebrew idiom similar to when we might say something like, “It’s raining cats and dogs”. Unfortunately, no one today knows what was meant by this Hebrew idiom. Many translators have chosen to translate the phrase to mean “What have I to do with you?” or “What does this have to do with me?” But if you look in Scripture in the other places where it is used (Matthew 8:29, Mark 1:24), it seems to me that the most likely interpretation is, “This is my concern, not yours.” That interpretation seems to make more sense in the light of Mary’s response in this story.]

5 – The Stairway to Heaven

Young John of Bethsaida was already awake when he noticed his brother get up from the straw bed they had slept on. The two brothers and their partners had taken a break from their fishing business and had come to Bethany in Judea. News of the fiery preaching of John the Baptizer had reached them in Galilee, and they had come to the Jordan River to hear him.
John watched his brother, James, pull on his cloak and quietly step past the others sleeping in the large room of the inn. As he stepped out of the door, the younger brother jumped to his feet, grabbed his cloak, and hurried after his older sibling. Exiting the lodge, John spotted James talking with Andrew of Bethsaida, one of the partners in their fishing business. Approaching the two, John saw his brother turn and walk toward the home of the inn keeper.
“Good morning, little brother!” Andrew said teasingly when he saw John.
“Aw, come on, Andrew,” John returned with an annoyed whine. “Do you have to keep callin’ me that? You’re a little brother, so you know how it feels.”
“Okay, John,” Andrew smiled when he saw his jab had hit the mark again. “I’m sorry, but you’re always so serious. I’m just trying to loosen you up.”
“Well, it’s not funny.” Turning to look after his retreating brother, John asked, “Where’s James going?”
“Since he’s carrying the money bag for us, it’s up to him to make sure we keep our spots in the inn tonight. Come on; I got a coin from him. Let’s go get some breakfast.”
A few minutes later the two were walking toward the river eating warm barley bread.
“I’m surprised your brother’s still sleeping,” John said, glancing back at their inn in the distance.
“I’m not,” Andrew answered. “After you went to bed, some Galileans joined us, and Simon was up late talking to them.”
“What was so interesting?”
“It seems some Zealots killed a couple of Romans in Jerusalem yesterday, and the procurator is crucifying innocent citizens till someone turns in the killers.”
“So now the people hate the Zealots as much as they hate the Romans,” John said his thoughts out loud.
“Almost,” Andrew agreed. “Killing the occasional Roman doesn’t help anything and makes life worse for everyone.”
“You must not need as much sleep as your brother.”
“I got to bed before he did,” Andrew answered. “Shortly after the conversation began with the Galileans, Philip showed up and started asking all of his obnoxious questions, and I left and went to bed.”
“Philip?” John asked. “Do you mean that strange guy that followed us down here from Bethsaida?”
“Yes,” Andrew answered. “You know, I try to be nice to him, but he drives me crazy. He’s got no sense of what’s acceptable behavior. He pushes himself into conversations, and he won’t stop asking questions.”
“Hey, look! There’s the Baptizer!”
“Speaking of asking questions,” Andrew said as he spotted the prophet, “here’s our chance to talk to him.”
The Baptizer was looking away, but when he heard the two men approach, he turned and beckoned urgently for them to join him. When they did, he put a strong hand on a shoulder of each and turned them to face a man who was passing them.
“You see Him?” the prophet asked with passion. “DO YOU SEE HIM?”
Both men nodded vigorously.
“THAT is the Lamb of God!” As he said these words, the Baptizer shoved the two Galileans forward. “He’s the One I’ve been telling you about!”
Without hesitation the two friends quickly hurried after the retreating figure. The crunch of their sandals on the gravelly road alerted Him to their presence. Stopping suddenly, He turned to face them. The man was holding up the front of his tunic, which contained a large pile of ripe dates.
The first thing both friends noticed were His eyes. Andrew thought they were like the Baptizer’s because they seemed to look right into your soul. John saw something else. I’ve never seen anyone smile with their eyes before, he said to himself.
“What do you want?”
The two Galileans just looked at each other. Finally Andrew said, “Teacher, umm…where are you staying?”
The eyes still smiled at them, but this time the mouth did too. “Come and see.”
They followed the Teacher up the road until He turned left onto an old goat trail. This led to a rocky outcropping with a ledge. A trickle from the top of the rocks fed a small, clear pool nearby. The Teacher sat down on a bed of dry grass and invited John and Andrew to use some of the grass to make seats for themselves. “I am Jesus, the son of Joseph, from Nazareth.”
“Oh, we’re from Galilee too,” John blurted out, “uh…but not Nazareth.”
“I am Andrew, son of John, and this is my friend and fishing partner, John, son of Zebedee. We are from Bethsaida, near Capernaum.”
As the introductions were being made, Jesus poured out the large pile of dates onto a flat rock between the three of them.
“You sure gathered a lot,” John observed. “You must have been hungry.”
“I was expecting guests,” the Teacher replied with a smile. “Help yourselves.”
Jesus began speaking to them like they were old friends. As he listened, John thought that there were some similarities between the Teacher and the Baptizer. They both talked about repentance and the Kingdom of God, but when Jesus taught, He used lots of stories…and John loved it. The Teacher talked about good trees bearing good fruit as He popped a date into His mouth. What He said made John consider the ‘fruit’ that was coming from his life. Jesus told stories about sheep and goats, about catching fish, about salt, about farming, about hidden treasures, and about merchants. He told one story about a broken pot that brought tears to the young fisherman’s eyes. Jesus never seemed to run out of stories with lessons.
John and Andrew ate dates and listened in amazement for most of the day. When Andrew suddenly realized that the afternoon was mostly gone, he jumped up and exclaimed, “I’m sorry, Teacher! I’m so sorry, but I must go find my brother, Simon! He has to meet you! Please, don’t go anywhere until I get back!” Then he ran off like a lion was after him.
Jesus turned and look at John. “And what about you?” He asked.
“Me?” John returned as he reached for another fat date. “I’m just fine.”
“Don’t you have a brother?” Jesus prompted.
“Oh…OH! Uh…yes! Yes, I do! I guess I should go get him too.”
“Yes, you should,” the Teacher returned. “I’ll be here when you get back.”

When Andrew returned, Jesus stood to greet him and the large, powerful-looking fisherman following him. Jesus noticed a look of skepticism in the newcomer’s eyes.
“Teacher, this is my…” Andrew began, but before he could finish, Jesus stepped past him to greet the older brother.
“You are Simon, son of John,” Jesus said with a smile. The way He said it made Simon feel special.
“Yes,” the big fisherman returned with a smile. “Yes, I am.”
“From now on,” Jesus returned, looking into the man’s eyes, “you will be called ‘Rock.’
“Rock?” Simon chuckled with a hint of pride. “You want to call me Rock? Why? Because I’m strong, dependable, and solid?”
“No,” Jesus returned, “but because one day you will be.”
After John returned with his brother James, the four Galilean fishermen spent the rest of the day and most of the evening totally enraptured by the Teacher.
The next morning, the four men were at Jesus’ camp early but were surprised when the Teacher announced that He would be leaving to go back to Nazareth. “I want each of you to go with me,” He said to them.
“We are ready, Teacher,” Rock announced. “We are carrying all our things. We can leave now if you like.”
“Not just yet,” Jesus said as he stood to leave. “I have to find someone first.”
The Teacher led them to the road and back to Bethany. When he entered the market area, he spotted a man purchasing some bread. “There he is!” Jesus said excitedly, and called to him, “PHILLIP!
“Phillip?” the four fishermen behind him gasped in shock.
“Yes?” Phillip answered.
Jesus put a friendly hand on his shoulder and said, “Phillip, my friend, I am Jesus, the son of Joseph, from Nazareth, and I want you to follow Me.”
“Me? Follow you?” Suddenly recognition struck him. “Say, wait a minute! I know who you are! I was there the other day when the Baptizer pointed you out and said you were that special Lamb Guy from God!”
Just then, Phillip looked past Jesus and saw the two pairs of brothers. “Well, hey there, fellas! I’ve been lookin’ all over for you guys. Are you followin’ the Lamb Guy too?”
The answer he got were groans and sad nods.
“This is going to be great!” Phillip exclaimed as he started to join them, but then he stopped himself. “Wait! I wanna follow you, Teacher. I really, really do, but I know this guy that’s down here from Cana, and he’s anxious to find the Coming One the Baptizer’s been preachin’ about. But he doesn’t know You’re Him, if you know what I mean.”
“Go get him,” Jesus said with a smile. “We’ll wait.”

Nathaniel, son of Talmai, or Bartholomew, as he would later be called, was a serious minded Galilean. He had heard the reports about the new prophet in Judea who was baptizing by the Jordan River. Nathaniel had traveled from the mountainous region in the north to hear the Baptizer for himself because he wanted to draw his own conclusions. Like everyone else, Nathaniel had hoped that he would be the Messiah they had all longed for, but John had made it very clear that he was not. The words from the Baptizer that did excite the son of Talmai was that the Coming One was on His way. If the Messiah is on His way, Nathaniel said to himself, then I’m staying right here till He comes.
Nathaniel liked his privacy. His straight forward opinions and the blunt expression of his views had rubbed more than a few people the wrong way. He couldn’t help himself. He said what he thought, and that was all there was to it. When it came to Nathaniel of Cana, you either liked him or you didn’t. For this reason more than any other, the son of Talmai chose to stay just outside of town rather than at one of the crowded inns in Bethany. He had camped beside a creek flowing into the Jordan. Near this quiet spot was a big fig tree with arching limbs that reached to the ground. It was covered with large green leaves and an abundance of ripe figs. Nathaniel was sitting under the fig tree now as much to find a quiet place to pray and think as to eat breakfast. Thoughts of the coming Messiah filled his mind as he sat there. He wondered what kind of man He would be and what great works the King of Israel would do.
Just then he heard his name called. He recognized the voice; it was Philip. Nathaniel wasn’t ready to deal with Philip and his incessant questions right now, so he remained silent, hidden by the thick covering of fig leaves as Philip hurried past. But Philip kept calling. Nathaniel was both surprised and annoyed at the fellow’s persistence. Just then he heard his friend cry out, “We’ve found the Coming One!”
Without hesitation, the son of Talmai burst from under the leaves and chased down the herald. “Philip!” Nathaniel called as he caught up to his friend. “What did you say?”
“We’ve found Him! We’ve found Him!”
“Who?” Nathaniel questioned firmly, needing more information.
“The One Moses wrote about in the Law!” he answered excitedly. “The One the prophets wrote about! The One the Baptizer said was coming!”
“Who is He?” an irritated Nathaniel shot back.
“Why, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph!”
“Nazareth?” Nathaniel questioned in disbelief. “Are you serious? Nazareth?”
Philip gave a large smile and nodded.
“Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Nathaniel asked again.
With his same annoying smile, Philip simply said, “Come and see.”
When Jesus saw Nathaniel approaching with Philip, He turned to the others and said, “Do you see that fellow right there? You will find no deceit in his heart. You may not like what he says, but he always tells you the truth.”
“How do you know me?” Nathaniel asked suspiciously.
“Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”
On hearing this, Nathaniel’s jaw dropped open involuntarily, and for the first time in his life, he struggled for words. “Teacher, You…You are the Son of God! You are…the King of Israel!”
Jesus smiled at Nathaniel’s blunt confession and answered, “Do you believe because I said I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these. You will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on…the Son of Man.”
As they walked along the road north following Jesus, Philip leaned close to Nathaniel and said, “I don’t understand. When Jesus was talking about the heavens being opened and we would see angels going up and down on something, I thought He was going to say a stairway…like in Jacob’s dream. But instead He said the angels would be going up and down on the Son of Man. Who’s the Son of Man?”
“He is!” Nathaniel answered confidently.
“I don’t get it!” Philip shot back. “What’s He talking about?”
“He’s saying, Philip, that He is going to show us the stairway that leads to Heaven…and it’s Him!”

By Alan W. Harris
(Inspired by John 1: 35-51)

4 – A Better Lamb

There hadn’t been a real prophet in Israel for almost five hundred years, so when word of John’s ministry began to spread, people came from all over Judea and Galilee to hear him. Everyone knew that if, after all these years, God had finally sent a prophet to them, this was big! People closed their shops; fishermen beached their boats; farmers took time off to go to the Jordan River to hear what this man of God had to say. Even though John had repeatedly informed the crowds that he was not the messiah, he was constantly telling them that a ‘Great One’ was coming.
“He’s more powerful than I,” the Baptizer said. “He was before me…I am not even worthy to untie His shoes…” Even while not yet fully understanding whom the prophet referred to, the people hung on his every word.
One day as John was teaching his disciples, he looked up and saw Jesus at a distance coming towards him. Never taking his eyes off the One who approached, John said to his disciples, “What happens every morning and every evening at the temple?”
“A lamb is sacrificed as a sin offering for the people,” the obvious answer came.
“Why do they have to keep sacrificing sheep?” John asked again.
“Because our sins are always before God.”
“So,” the Baptizer responded, “for us to have our sins completely taken away for good, we need a better lamb.”
John raised his arm and pointed at Jesus and said, “Look, there He is! The Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world!”
“How do you know?” one of the disciples asked.
“Less than two months ago, He came to me wanting to be baptized,” John explained. “As soon as I saw Him, I sensed an awareness in my spirit that this was the One God was sending, and I didn’t feel worthy to baptize Him. I even told Him so, saying that I needed to be baptized by Him.”
“What did He say?” one asked.
“He said, ‘John, permit it this time because it is up to you and Me to fulfill all righteousness.’”
“What did He mean?”
“Think about it,” John answered. “Everything that pleases God is righteous. In the eleventh psalm David said, ‘God is righteous and He loves righteousness.’ Jesus was telling me that God would be pleased if I baptized Him. That was enough for me, so I baptized Him.
“Then the most amazing thing happened. As soon as I lifted Him out of the water, we both looked up. The sky suddenly split apart, and the most glorious light streamed down on us. The Spirit of God descended out of the split and formed Himself into a dove Who flew down and landed on Jesus. Just as that was happening, a powerful voice came from above.”
“What did the voice say, John? What did it say?” the disciples eagerly asked.
“It said, ‘This is My much loved Son, and I am very pleased with Him!’ And that’s how I knew for sure.”
“Knew what?”
“When I began my ministry, God spoke to me and said that, when I see the Holy Spirit descending like a dove and landing on a person, then I will know that He is the One God is sending. And I am telling each of you that the Man you see approaching us…that Man right there—He is the Son of God…He is God’s better Lamb!”

By Alan W. Harris
(Inspired by John 1:29-34)

3 – Fruit from Vipers

Word spread quickly about the wild preacher by the Jordan River who was baptizing everyone who came to him.
When the religious leaders in Jerusalem heard about him, they got nervous. “Sounds like another one of those hot-headed religious bumpkins with more zeal than sense,” one of the rabbis said when he heard the news.
“Some moron claiming to be the Messiah is all the excuse the Romans will need to crack down on us again,” another joined in.
“You are right, Rabbi Yehir,” a third agreed, “but the people are already declaring that this man is a prophet. We need to tread carefully.”
“Of course, Rabbi Misael,” the first shot back, “but this newcomer needs to understand that the Pharisees know about him and are watching him closely. He cannot go on thinking he can say anything that comes into his addled brain or claim himself to be someone he is not!”
“Yes, exactly!” Yehir said with strong approval. “An impressive delegation must be sent to question him. We’ll see what courage he has when priests in their full regalia show up, look him squarely in the eye, and demand answers of him.”

“Sin is no big concern for you,” John the baptizer’s voice boomed along the river bank. “You sin every day. You live in it. But do you think the Most High God is like you? No, I tell you! NO! The God of Israel is holy, holy, HOLY!
“Listen to me, all of you! God has told me that His kingdom is coming. Do you understand what I am saying? God’s kingdom is on the way. IT IS NEAR AT HAND! Do you want to be in His kingdom? I can see that you do. Then you must be holy, because HE is holy! Listen to what I am telling you! You must repent of your sinful lives, humble your hard hearts before Him, and be baptized! That’s the only way…”
“Hey you…Baptizer!” The interruption came from one of a small group of priests and Levites who just arrived and had pushed their way to the front of the crowd. John stopped his sermon and looked hard at the men standing pompously before him.
“Just who do you claim to be?” the speaker asked accusingly.
John surveyed the men with a critical eye before answering. “Well, I’ll tell you who I’m not,” he returned. “I am not the Messiah.”
This response seemed to take the religious leaders by surprise and they looked at each other in confusion.
“Maybe he thinks he’s Elijah,” one of them whispered to the spokesman. “He dresses like him.”
“Are you Elijah?” the spokesman asked.
“I am not.”
“Moses said that another prophet like him was coming,” another piped up. “Are you that prophet?”
“No.”
There was more animated whispering among the obviously irritated group. Finally the spokesman said, “Listen you, we are priests and Levites! We have important matters to deal with! We can’t have our valuable time wasted by the likes of you! We were sent here by the religious leaders in Jerusalem to find out who you are, so enough of this! Who are you? What do you say about yourself?”
John paused thoughtfully, making them wait several long moments for his answer. Finally he said, “I am…a voice.”
“What?” one of the Levites in the back of the group asked. “Did he say he was a voice?”
“See hear!” one of the priests blurted out, but John cut him off.
“Yes, a voice. As Isaiah the prophet said, I am ‘the voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord.’ Every crooked path must be made straight. Every ravine must be filled in, and every high place must be brought low. And if you will excuse me, some of those who have been brought low by the words of God need me now.”
John stepped down from where he had been speaking, pushed through the group of priests, and walked out into the Jordan River. With joy, the crowd who had come to hear him speak followed, and one by one, they waded out to John to be baptized.
From the bank the delegation from Jerusalem watched in fascination as hundreds of people confessed their sins, filed into the river, and came out joyfully praising God.
“It is clear that the people accept this man as a prophet,” the spokesman said to the others.
“It is also clear that they are genuinely turning to God,” another said. “Just listen to them!”
“And did you see the way they’re looking at us?” a third asked nervously. “I…I don’t think they trust us.”
“Hmmm…I believe you’re right,” the spokesman said to the others, “They clearly are for him and against us.
“Brothers, listen to me,” priest continued expressing his thoughts, “in order to regain respect in the eyes of the people, I think we should receive this man’s baptism. What could it hurt?”
After a few moments of deliberation, they all agreed and began taking off their priestly garb, folding them carefully and placing them on nearby boulders. Then, pushing their way to the front of the line, they waded out to the preacher.
When John saw them coming for baptism, his piercing gaze stopped them. “You snakes!” Looking past them he saw their neatly folded robes on the bank. “How quickly you shed your skins, but inside you are still vipers! The poison of your hypocrisy drips from your fangs! Who warned you to flee from God’s coming wrath?” The priests and Levites were dumbfounded at the tongue lashing they were receiving.
“Oh, the Lord stands ready to receive you,” John continued, “but only if you get rid of your arrogance and pompous pride.”
“How dare you!” one of the priests shot back. “We are ministers of God! We serve in the temple! We are Abraham’s…”
But John cut him off. “Don’t tell me Abraham’s your father, ‘cause God can raise up children of Abraham from these stones! Religious rituals from false hearts mean nothing to God. Repent of your pride and arrogance! Turn away from your hypocrisy! Lay your wicked hearts before God with true brokenness before it’s too late! Even now the ax is laid at the root of the trees, so every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire! You men should be very afraid!”
With a huffs and snorts, the priests turned and marched back to the bank to retrieve their robes.
As John watched them leave, he noticed that one Levite remained before him. A second Levite, when he saw that his friend had stayed, paused for a moment, and then he too waded back to the baptizer. John looked them both in the eyes and asked, “What do you seek?”
“Sir,” the first began, “my friend Eliezer and I have studied the Holy Words from our youth, and we both know enough to understand that we are sinful men.”
“We also understand that your words are true,” Eliezer quickly agreed. “Gershom and I have had this conversation many times. We just want to please God and be close to Him. Are you the one who can tell us how to do that?”
A smile spread across the rough prophet’s face and he put a hand on each of the men’s shoulders. “You have just taken your first steps in that direction,” he said encouragingly. “I have heard you confess your sins. Now let me baptize you, then stay with me. I need to get you ready for the One you are seeking because He is on His way.”

Short story by Alan W. Harris
(Inspired by John 1:19-28, and Luke 3:1-9)