ASK Promise for May 2020

Book Of John - Chapter 4 Part B - Bible Study

Day 4 - Chapter 4 Part B

Highlights/Understanding	Chapter 4 – NASB Translation
Disciples worrying about hunger and food	31 Meanwhile the disciples were urging Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” 32 But He said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” 33 So the disciples were saying to one another, “No one brought Him anything to eat, did he?”
Spiritual Food or Fuel for the spiritual soul is to understand and do the Will Of GOD. Do we know our GOD’s purpose in this world? Or is it just to cook, eat & sleep with few minutes to ponder on GOD’s goodness between these activities? Let’s take a hard look and ask GOD for revelation.	34 Jesus *said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work. 35
Jesus also reveals the purpose. We have a harvest to reap. That we should take part of.	35 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. 36 Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal; so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 For in this case the saying is true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored and you have entered into their labor.”
Testimony of the Samaritan Woman reaps more souls	39 From that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all the things that I have done.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they were asking Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days.
Salvation for everyone. Know that Jews never go thru the city of Sychar or Samaria while travelling from Judea to Galilee. LORD Jesus not only preaches but HE stays there for 2 days.	40 So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they were asking Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days.
Samaritans become a testimony	41 Many more believed because of His word; 42 and they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.”
Good WELCOME in Galilee Remember JESUS was not honored at HIS home town/country before as they saw HIM as the Son of Joseph -the Mason (not Carpenter. Greek’s translation means Masonry which also involves Carpentry) Witnessing the miracles had changed the hearts of Galileans. Yes, unbelievers need testimony and witness.	43 After the two days He went forth from there into Galilee. 44 For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. 45 So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, having seen all the things that He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves also went to the feast.
Healing a Nobleman’s Son	46 Therefore He came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a royal official whose son was sick at Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and was imploring Him to come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death.
Healing thru Faith JESUS HIMSELF talks about how HE noticed people needing signs and wonders based on HIS experience with Galileans. Prayers are fully answered thru faith for the one who believes GOD and HIS wonderous miracles without witnessing.	So Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see [g]signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.” 49 The royal official *said to Him, “[h]Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 Jesus *said to him, “Go; your son lives.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started off. 51 As he was now going down, his slaves met him, saying that his [i]son was living. 52 So he inquired of them the hour when he began to get better. Then they said to him, “Yesterday at the [j]seventh hour the fever left him.” 53 So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives”; and he himself believed and his whole household
Second Sign in Cana because of Faith ·       Water to Wine – Mary believed ·       Healing of the Royal Official’s Son – He believed.	This is again a second [k]sign that Jesus performed when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.

Book Of John - Chapter 4 Part A - Bible Study

Day 4 - Chapter 4 Part A

Highlights/Understanding	Chapter 4 – NASB Translation
Water Baptism by the Disciples and it’s Reach. Why the Pharisees were surprised coz the disciples (Fisherman, Tax collector etc.) were baptizing in GOD’s name. They were common people. I am sure Pharisees would have frowned and annoyed to hear it.	4 Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were),
Jesus’s travel back to Galilee means crossing Samaria. Samaria is a mixed race of Jews and Original people of the land. Ancient scholars say that the Israelites captured the region known as Samaria from the Canaanites and assigned it to the Tribe of Joseph.  Modern Samaria is called Western bank.	He left Judea and went away again into Galilee. 4 And He had to pass through Samaria. 5 So He *came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph; 6 and Jacob’s well was there. So Jesus, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about [a]the sixth hour.
As per Jewish clock Sixth hour is Noon. Jewish clock considers 6:00 AM as the first hour.	6 and Jacob’s well was there. So Jesus, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about [a]the sixth hour.
The Woman of Samaria Generally, the women of the middle east draw water early in the morning or in the evening to avoid heat. This woman is coming at noon. Is she avoiding the crowd and small talks? What is really worried about?	7 There *came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus *said to her, “Give Me a drink.” 8 For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.
Jews vs. Samaritans There exist some kind of hostility between Jews and Samaritans. It has to do with their lineage and the way they worship to GOD. Jews felt they are better than Samaritans. They avoid any konda of interaction with Samaritans. Hence the Samaritan woman was surprised.	9 Therefore the Samaritan woman *said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)
Living Water Jesus ignores her comment about being a Samaritan. He quickly gets to the topic. He started to speak deep theological truths. Have you wondered why he chose this lady to talk these truths? You will see the answer unravel in the coming verses.	10 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”
Curious about Living Water – She quickly understands Jesus is no ordinary man. She posts all her observations as questions to Jesus	11 She *said to Him, “[b]Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water? 12 You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself and his sons and his cattle?”
Jesus talks about Eternal Life	13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”
Samaritan Woman had been undergoing some kinda trouble in drawing the water	15 The woman *said to Him, “[c]Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw.”
Being Truthful. Though the Samaritan woman is ashamed of her personal life to come out in public that she chooses a noon time to draw water, Still she decided to be truthful to the stranger she meets coz she believes there is something special about Jesus	16 He *said to her, “Go, call your husband and come here.” 17 The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus *said to her, “You have correctly said, ‘I have no husband’; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly.”
She is in search of True GOD That is exactly why Jesus decides to take a break during that busy day of his ministry and waited for her at the well to answer her question. Additional Info on the Samaritan’s mountain Samaritans claim their worship is the true religion of the ancient Israelites prior to the Babylonian exile, preserved by those who remained in the Land of Israel. Their temple was built at Mount Gerizim in the middle of the 5th century BCE, and was destroyed in 110 BCE, although their descendants still worship among its ruins.	19 The woman *said to Him, “[d]Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.”
Place of Worship What a wonderful explanation by Christ Jesus. It is not the place but the Believer worshipping in spirit and truth. This is so apt for current COVID19 situation. Church is not a building, but it is the heart of the believer. And HE  also clarifies Salvation is for everyone who seeks GOD and worship in spirit and truth.	21 Jesus *said to her, “Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24 God is [e]spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
MESSIAH – She waits for the messiah though she is of Samaritan descent.	The woman *said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.”
JESUS reveal HIS identity To HIS disciples HE always question their understanding while here HE plainly confirms that HE is the MESSIAH	26 Jesus *said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”
Women in that society In those days Women were treated second class citizen. Disciples were so surprised to see that Rabbi their teacher is conversing with a Samaritan woman.	27 At this point His disciples came, and they were amazed that He had been speaking with a woman, yet no one said, “What do You seek?” or, “Why do You speak with her
Leaving the water pot means something here. 1.   If she carries the waterpot with water she cant run as fast as she can into the city 2.   Waterpots are very important. She didn’t worry about it coz she has received with much more important message to take it to her city. 3.   She left the waterpot with the hope Jesus will be waiting at the well and she can always draw water later. 4.   She has received the living water	28 So the woman left her waterpot, and went into the city and *said to the men, 29 “Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not [f]the Christ, is it?” 30 They went out of the city, and were coming to Him
She gives a Testimony – Most important aspect of Christian life! She brought many to Christ that day.	28 So the woman left her waterpot, and went into the city and *said to the men, 29 “Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not [f]the Christ, is it?” 30 They went out of the city, and were coming to Him

Book Of John - Chapter 3 - Bible Study

Day 3 - Chapter 3

Highlights/Understanding	Chapter 3 – NASB Translation
Nicodemus is mentioned only in Book Of John Nicodemus comes at night. He witnesses Jesus at the temple and his miracles. He believes that Jesus is the Messiah, yet He is afraid of his fellow Jews and other Pharisees leaders.	3 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
Who are Pharisees? They are one of the 4 School of thought/4 Sects that divided the Jewish community at that time. They believe in meticulous adherence to their interpretation of the Torah. Paul was a Pharisees (as Saul) who witnessed the stoning of Stephen	3 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
BORN AGAIN/NEW BIRTH – Explained by Jesus. Why? Not everyone can understand / follow Jesus is the Son of GOD, in spite of their knowledge of Torah, Talmud and other holy scriptures.	3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
BORN AGAIN/NEW BIRTH – Explained by Jesus. What is born again? One has to leave his old ways and become like a child on the first day of his birth. Yes, like a child who has this whole life waiting for him/her.	4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
BORN AGAIN/NEW BIRTH – Explained by Jesus. When? It is not too late to be born again Or Start over in life.	3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
Born Again – Born of the Spirit is spirit Leaving the worldly/flesh pleasurable life to GODLY life of Grace, Faith, and Love. From Old spirt to New Spirit	5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Born Again – Symbol/Signal/Witness – Like a wind, Born again process is not visible to natural eyes. It is a supernatural transformation by Holy Spirit.	5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Pharisees had focused so much on strict laws, rituals and in well read knowledge of holy scriptures, that they are blinded to understand the supernatural works of GOD.	9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?
Hard to give witness to a person run by facts, stats, and rationals. They will view everything as a blind man.	11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
It's not disciples, It is JESUS who talks about the purpose of HIS visit	No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man [b]who is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should [c]not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Why non-believers condemned already? Believers of Trinity GOD are chosen generation	18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Jesus is the Light. Remember verses from John Chapter 1:5-9 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.	19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
Light. Confessing to GOD and asking for repentance is bringing One’s deed to Light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.	19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
Water Baptism by Jesus, John the Baptist and Jesus’s disciples	22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized. 24 For John had not yet been thrown into prison.
Who has the authority to Baptize? – Everyone called out by GOD	25 Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!”
John the Baptist – Testimony about Christ. John knows his calling to prepare the way for Messiah. He understands that Jesus Christ is the Messiah.	27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. 34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. 35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
Remember: We all have authority to Baptize in HIS holy name	27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.
We are all called out like John the Baptist before the second coming of Christ	27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.
The gist of John the Baptist testimony	30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
Belief and Life of Testimony for Jesus Christ	30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. 34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. 35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”