“Now he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph.” (John 4:4-5)
Through this scripture we learn an interesting fact about Jesus, and about His father and mother. While many stories are told of how the Jewish people avoided Samaria, by taking the road to the east (along the coast) or to the west (along the Jordan River) [which is how people travel from Galilee to Jerusalem today], Jesus and his disciples traveled through Samaria.
The old road through Samaria is for the most part preserved. Today it is known as Israel Highway 60, "Kvish Shishim" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highway_60_(Israel)). This is the road which Joseph and Mary took from Nazareth to Bethlehem, and this is the road which Jesus often traveled form Galilee to Jerusalem. (Luke 17:11). The road today is difficult and dangerous, it is in the West Bank. In Jesus day, it was the same. Although there was Roman protection, it was dangerous to travel through Samaria.
Highway 60 possibly was a large part of Jesus’ heritage. We know that Jesus’ father Joseph was a carpenter (Greek: Tekton – a worker in wood or any craftsman, or workman). Some people think that Joseph worked in Sepphoris, about 3-4 miles north of Nazareth. Herod Antipas created this city as a capital for his kingdom and a seat of Roman culture. Earlier Herod the Great built Sebaste (or Samaria) about a day’s journey north of Jerusalem on what is now Hwy 60.
The construction of both cities required a number of masons and artisans including carpenters. It is possible that Joseph moved to Sebaste first and then Sepphoris to capitalize on the opportunity to use his trade to make a good living.
Because of his heritage, and because Jesus knew God cared for all people, he was more accepting of the Samaritans. In John 4, we learn that the church is to reach out to all types of people. We are to reach out to women, foreigners, and even the despised people of the world. Acts 1:8 tells us to “be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Jesus told us to reach out to people who are not like us, because all people have need of the Gospel. He said, “invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed.” (Luke 14:23-24)
Consider: What roads do you travel in your community, and which do you avoid? Why? What people do you commune with and whom do you avoid? Why? How will you reach out beyond your comfort zone so the Gospel can be known by those who need it most?
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Friday, September 20, 2013
Thoughts: From previous blog
I began thinking about the last blog (thinking can be dangerous). I wrote about Nicodemus the Pharisee. Pharisees are the “Pious ones.” They teach the law. They gather disciples. They argue doctrine so they can correctly interpret the word of God. They are presidents of the Synagogues. And they are on town councils where they make sure the law of the land is in accordance with scripture.
We as Baptists can be very similar sometimes. We teach, gather disciples, argue doctrine (one such argument is between Calvinism and Freewill Baptists), we work to help our government implement laws according to scripture. We sit in our churches, we talk to our friends about the Bible and as iron sharpens iron we develop within ourselves the correct understanding of scripture.
Jesus said of the Pharisees, “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.” (Luke 11:46)
The Bible says: Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."(Matthew 9:35-38)
Jesus said to His disciples and to us: “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." (John 20:21-23)
Often as we go, we tell people (as the Pharisees likewise did!) “Pray this prayer,” or “believe this doctrine.” These things can be done in the flesh. We can fake words without involving the heart. Jesus desires that we change from the inside, not the outside. (Ezekiel 18:31; 36:24-32; see also Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hosea 6:6; 1 Sam 15:22; Psalm 40:5-10)
Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, `You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:5-7)
As Jesus said to Nicodemus and He tells those of us enveloped in church culture, “You must be born again.” You see, “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. … God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17) We are to go into the world, not to condemn the world, but to share the life changing message of Jesus.
Jesus said of the Pharisees, “You hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.” (Mt 23:15) He tells us, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24:46-48)
Paul wrote: “So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Cor 5:16-21)
And he went on to say, “We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love.” (2 Cor. 6:3-6)
Let us do the same.
We as Baptists can be very similar sometimes. We teach, gather disciples, argue doctrine (one such argument is between Calvinism and Freewill Baptists), we work to help our government implement laws according to scripture. We sit in our churches, we talk to our friends about the Bible and as iron sharpens iron we develop within ourselves the correct understanding of scripture.
Jesus said of the Pharisees, “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.” (Luke 11:46)
The Bible says: Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."(Matthew 9:35-38)
Jesus said to His disciples and to us: “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." (John 20:21-23)
Often as we go, we tell people (as the Pharisees likewise did!) “Pray this prayer,” or “believe this doctrine.” These things can be done in the flesh. We can fake words without involving the heart. Jesus desires that we change from the inside, not the outside. (Ezekiel 18:31; 36:24-32; see also Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hosea 6:6; 1 Sam 15:22; Psalm 40:5-10)
Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, `You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:5-7)
As Jesus said to Nicodemus and He tells those of us enveloped in church culture, “You must be born again.” You see, “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. … God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17) We are to go into the world, not to condemn the world, but to share the life changing message of Jesus.
Jesus said of the Pharisees, “You hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.” (Mt 23:15) He tells us, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24:46-48)
Paul wrote: “So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Cor 5:16-21)
And he went on to say, “We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love.” (2 Cor. 6:3-6)
Let us do the same.
Nicodemus the Pharisee
Pharisees are known as the “Pious ones.” Often we put Pharisees down because we see criticism of this sect in the words of Jesus...Mt 23:26; Luke 18:10, however in doing so, we do not see the full picture of who the Pharisees were.
The Hebrew word which is at the root of the title Pharisee (פָּרַשׁ) means to make distinct, clarify, distinguish or separate. The Pharisees were interested in clarifying what the word of God meant so they could understand and follow it better. Josephus said of the Pharisees “The Pharisees are those who are esteemed most skillful in the exact explication of their laws,” (Josephus Wars 2.8.14; Antiquities 18.1.3)
There were many classes of Pharisees. Some of the Pharisees were ultra orthodox (Luke 11:38). Some were more moderate. During one period there were opposing pairs of Pharisees (zugot) who discussed everything (see chart on page 70 of book Spring: Connecting with God). An example of this are the famous arguments between Hillel and Shammai.
Nicodemus was a commendable Pharisee. Nicodemus appears three times in the Gospel of John. In chapter 3 he visits Jesus one night to discuss his teachings. In John 7:45-51 Nicodemus is mentioned when he states the law concerning the arrest of Jesus during the Feast of Passover. Nicodemus also assists Joseph of Arimathea in preparing the body of Jesus for burial. (John 19:39–42)
Nicodemus was a Pharisee who came to Jesus seeking truth at night. Many speculate why at night. Was he trying to hide? Or this could be a symbol Nicodemus was coming out of the evil world, and into the light of Jesus (John 9:4; 11:10; 13:30; 21:3). Or maybe he worked, and he was on his way home or came when Jesus was available.
Nicodemus was impressed by the works of Jesus. Jesus had changed water into wine (his first sign), and performed many other signs. Josephus says of Jesus: "Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was the Christ." (Antiquities 18.3.3)
Jesus shared a truth with Nicodemus: “You must be born again.” This is a truth that Nicodemus should have seen. Abram was born again (his name was changed to Abraham). Isaac was born again (on Mount Moriah). Jacob was born again (his name was changed to Israel). Moses was born again at the burning bush. Ezekiel talked of the new birth (18:31; 36:24-32; see also Jeremiah 31:31-34)
Nicodemus wanted to know how a man could be born again. Could he enter again into his mother’s womb? (This would be as impossible as the nation of Israel going back to Egypt to dwell in the flesh). Jesus said, no, one must be born of the Spirit (wind), meaning we must be born of God. We don’t know how this birth comes about because it is not physical, it is by faith.
Jesus taught Nicodemus a lesson from Exodus 4:1-6. God told Moses to throw down his shepherd’s crook. It became a snake. God said, “Pick it up.” Moses thought “snakes bite!” And then because of faith … he picked it up. He trusted God.
If Nicodemus was to become God’s man, he must have faith he must lift up the name of Jesus, he must believe God’s one and only Son. Jesus said, “Whoever believes in me is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.” (John 3:18)
Jesus said, “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.” (John 3:19-21)
To be a Pharisee, serious about our faith can be a good thing or a bad thing. We always need to measure: are we over serious or under serious; are we theoreticians (about our faith) or do we believe on the Name of Jesus … and act on our belief. ... See the next blog (also written Sept. 20)
The Hebrew word which is at the root of the title Pharisee (פָּרַשׁ) means to make distinct, clarify, distinguish or separate. The Pharisees were interested in clarifying what the word of God meant so they could understand and follow it better. Josephus said of the Pharisees “The Pharisees are those who are esteemed most skillful in the exact explication of their laws,” (Josephus Wars 2.8.14; Antiquities 18.1.3)
There were many classes of Pharisees. Some of the Pharisees were ultra orthodox (Luke 11:38). Some were more moderate. During one period there were opposing pairs of Pharisees (zugot) who discussed everything (see chart on page 70 of book Spring: Connecting with God). An example of this are the famous arguments between Hillel and Shammai.
Nicodemus was a commendable Pharisee. Nicodemus appears three times in the Gospel of John. In chapter 3 he visits Jesus one night to discuss his teachings. In John 7:45-51 Nicodemus is mentioned when he states the law concerning the arrest of Jesus during the Feast of Passover. Nicodemus also assists Joseph of Arimathea in preparing the body of Jesus for burial. (John 19:39–42)
Nicodemus was a Pharisee who came to Jesus seeking truth at night. Many speculate why at night. Was he trying to hide? Or this could be a symbol Nicodemus was coming out of the evil world, and into the light of Jesus (John 9:4; 11:10; 13:30; 21:3). Or maybe he worked, and he was on his way home or came when Jesus was available.
Nicodemus was impressed by the works of Jesus. Jesus had changed water into wine (his first sign), and performed many other signs. Josephus says of Jesus: "Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was the Christ." (Antiquities 18.3.3)
Jesus shared a truth with Nicodemus: “You must be born again.” This is a truth that Nicodemus should have seen. Abram was born again (his name was changed to Abraham). Isaac was born again (on Mount Moriah). Jacob was born again (his name was changed to Israel). Moses was born again at the burning bush. Ezekiel talked of the new birth (18:31; 36:24-32; see also Jeremiah 31:31-34)
Nicodemus wanted to know how a man could be born again. Could he enter again into his mother’s womb? (This would be as impossible as the nation of Israel going back to Egypt to dwell in the flesh). Jesus said, no, one must be born of the Spirit (wind), meaning we must be born of God. We don’t know how this birth comes about because it is not physical, it is by faith.
Jesus taught Nicodemus a lesson from Exodus 4:1-6. God told Moses to throw down his shepherd’s crook. It became a snake. God said, “Pick it up.” Moses thought “snakes bite!” And then because of faith … he picked it up. He trusted God.
If Nicodemus was to become God’s man, he must have faith he must lift up the name of Jesus, he must believe God’s one and only Son. Jesus said, “Whoever believes in me is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.” (John 3:18)
Jesus said, “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.” (John 3:19-21)
To be a Pharisee, serious about our faith can be a good thing or a bad thing. We always need to measure: are we over serious or under serious; are we theoreticians (about our faith) or do we believe on the Name of Jesus … and act on our belief. ... See the next blog (also written Sept. 20)
Friday, September 13, 2013
The Wedding
In this blog we visit a wedding, a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Un-named at this wedding are the Groom and the Bride. Some say this is Jesus and the Church. Others indicate the groom is one of the disciples. This is not explained in the story.
What is shared is that Jesus, his mother and his disciples are invited guests. They were in some way related to the bride or the groom. The bride could be a member of Jesus family. It is know n that Jesus had brothers (James, Joseph, Judas and Simon) and sisters. (Mark 6:3) These relatives would have been present at the wedding.
Jesus’ mother Mary was there, along with her sister Salome and her husband Zebedee and their sons James and John. Peter and Andrew were there. Nathaniel (Bartholomew) who was from Cana (John 21:2), as was Philip who was from the same town as Peter and Andrew. Philip was also a friend of Nathaniel of Cana. Jesus’ disciples thought he was a normal teacher, and they were committed to Him.
According to the tradition of the time, the groom’s family threw a party and fed the wedding guests. The Mishnah tells us, “If a man bought a Firstling for his son’s wedding feast or for a Feast, and he does not need it, he may sell it.” (Shebiith7.4, see also Hallah 2.7 and Matthew 22:2).
During the wedding the wine ran out. This could have been a great embarrassment to the groom’s parents, except that Mary was close enough to the family to discover this fact. She asked Jesus to make new wine. While it is clear that Jesus was not yet ready to show public miracles, He was obedient to his mother. Jesus told the servants to fill six jars full of water. Normally jars were filled 2/3 full of water, and then wine was added. The Mishnah says, “They may pour water over wine-dregs to dilute them, and strain wine through a napkin or Egyptian basket; they may put an egg in a mustard- strainer’ and prepare honeyed wine … All depends on the number of the guests.” (Sabbath 20.2)
After the jars were filled Jesus said, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” The wine Jesus drew out turned out to be better than the wine which was served at the beginning. The disciples saw this and remembered. When this sign was performed the disciples began to understand.
Jesus said, “No one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, he pours new wine into new wineskins.” (Mark 2:22) Something new was beginning. This was Jesus’ first miracle.
Jesus’ second miracle was also in Cana. This miracle is related in John 4:46-54, where he heals the son of a royal official. Jesus third miracle, also in Galilee, was to multiply fish and loaves to feed 5,000 people. The disciples were learning among them stood one they did not fully know. (John 1:26)
John the Baptist said, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. …The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine ... Jesus must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:27-30)
What is shared is that Jesus, his mother and his disciples are invited guests. They were in some way related to the bride or the groom. The bride could be a member of Jesus family. It is know n that Jesus had brothers (James, Joseph, Judas and Simon) and sisters. (Mark 6:3) These relatives would have been present at the wedding.
Jesus’ mother Mary was there, along with her sister Salome and her husband Zebedee and their sons James and John. Peter and Andrew were there. Nathaniel (Bartholomew) who was from Cana (John 21:2), as was Philip who was from the same town as Peter and Andrew. Philip was also a friend of Nathaniel of Cana. Jesus’ disciples thought he was a normal teacher, and they were committed to Him.
According to the tradition of the time, the groom’s family threw a party and fed the wedding guests. The Mishnah tells us, “If a man bought a Firstling for his son’s wedding feast or for a Feast, and he does not need it, he may sell it.” (Shebiith7.4, see also Hallah 2.7 and Matthew 22:2).
During the wedding the wine ran out. This could have been a great embarrassment to the groom’s parents, except that Mary was close enough to the family to discover this fact. She asked Jesus to make new wine. While it is clear that Jesus was not yet ready to show public miracles, He was obedient to his mother. Jesus told the servants to fill six jars full of water. Normally jars were filled 2/3 full of water, and then wine was added. The Mishnah says, “They may pour water over wine-dregs to dilute them, and strain wine through a napkin or Egyptian basket; they may put an egg in a mustard- strainer’ and prepare honeyed wine … All depends on the number of the guests.” (Sabbath 20.2)
After the jars were filled Jesus said, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” The wine Jesus drew out turned out to be better than the wine which was served at the beginning. The disciples saw this and remembered. When this sign was performed the disciples began to understand.
Jesus said, “No one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, he pours new wine into new wineskins.” (Mark 2:22) Something new was beginning. This was Jesus’ first miracle.
Jesus’ second miracle was also in Cana. This miracle is related in John 4:46-54, where he heals the son of a royal official. Jesus third miracle, also in Galilee, was to multiply fish and loaves to feed 5,000 people. The disciples were learning among them stood one they did not fully know. (John 1:26)
John the Baptist said, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. …The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine ... Jesus must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:27-30)
Monday, September 2, 2013
Who was John
Actually, there are two Johns in the passage for this week: John the Baptist and John the Apostle.
John the Baptist was the son of a Priest. We read the story of John in Luke 1:5-25, where we find the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth who are to have a child in old age. Zechariah is a priest of the priestly division of Abijah. He served on rotation at the Temple once every 24 weeks, plus during the three Harvest Festivals (Passover, Pentecost, and Feast of Tabernacles).
When Zechariah’s son John came of age, he probably also served as a Priest in the Temple. He would serve at the Temple with his father learning the traditions and the richness of his faith.
While young John the Baptist received a call of God to serve in a special way. He was to “”Bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.” (Luke 1:16). He was a Nazarite who was filled with the Spirit. His ministry was to call people to repentance, to baptize them, and to announce the coming of the Messiah.
When the Priests and his fellow Levites questioned John about his ministry he said, “I am a voice of one calling: ‘In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.’" (Isaiah 40:3-5; John 1:23)
People came to John to be baptized (Luke 3:7-18; John 22-30) Some of these were from Galilee, and some were relatives of the Baptizer. One of these relatives might have been another John, the son of Zebedee and Salome (Mt 27:56). Salome was a relative of John the Baptist and Zechariah the Levite (Mark 15:40, Luke 1:36). She had two sons named James and John.
The name of Zebedee is interesting, it is from the Hebrew Zabedus (Strongs H2064-7, meaning a dowry, endowment of Jehovah, a gift) In Nehemiah 11:17, Zabdi is listed as the son of Asaph the director who led in thanksgiving and prayer. Zebedee might have been a Levite who served in the Temple. Zebedee’s son John probably served as a priest as evidenced by his “insider” statement in John 12:42-43, and the fact that he knew the High Priest (John 18:15-16) As we study the gospel of John, we will try to see the “insider” view offered by John.
Mark 3:17 says, “James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder).” According to Thayer's Greek Lexicon Boanerges seems to mean fiery and destructive zeal, which was a characteristic of both Johns.
John brought James to Jesus. Andrew brought Peter. Andrew and Peter fished with the sons of Zebedee.. We will see more relationships next week as we study John 2.
John the Baptist was the son of a Priest. We read the story of John in Luke 1:5-25, where we find the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth who are to have a child in old age. Zechariah is a priest of the priestly division of Abijah. He served on rotation at the Temple once every 24 weeks, plus during the three Harvest Festivals (Passover, Pentecost, and Feast of Tabernacles).
When Zechariah’s son John came of age, he probably also served as a Priest in the Temple. He would serve at the Temple with his father learning the traditions and the richness of his faith.
While young John the Baptist received a call of God to serve in a special way. He was to “”Bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.” (Luke 1:16). He was a Nazarite who was filled with the Spirit. His ministry was to call people to repentance, to baptize them, and to announce the coming of the Messiah.
When the Priests and his fellow Levites questioned John about his ministry he said, “I am a voice of one calling: ‘In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.’" (Isaiah 40:3-5; John 1:23)
People came to John to be baptized (Luke 3:7-18; John 22-30) Some of these were from Galilee, and some were relatives of the Baptizer. One of these relatives might have been another John, the son of Zebedee and Salome (Mt 27:56). Salome was a relative of John the Baptist and Zechariah the Levite (Mark 15:40, Luke 1:36). She had two sons named James and John.
The name of Zebedee is interesting, it is from the Hebrew Zabedus (Strongs H2064-7, meaning a dowry, endowment of Jehovah, a gift) In Nehemiah 11:17, Zabdi is listed as the son of Asaph the director who led in thanksgiving and prayer. Zebedee might have been a Levite who served in the Temple. Zebedee’s son John probably served as a priest as evidenced by his “insider” statement in John 12:42-43, and the fact that he knew the High Priest (John 18:15-16) As we study the gospel of John, we will try to see the “insider” view offered by John.
Mark 3:17 says, “James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder).” According to Thayer's Greek Lexicon Boanerges seems to mean fiery and destructive zeal, which was a characteristic of both Johns.
John brought James to Jesus. Andrew brought Peter. Andrew and Peter fished with the sons of Zebedee.. We will see more relationships next week as we study John 2.
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