HOW JESUS TAKETH PUNY MEN IN THEIR OWN CRAFTINESS
XXIII. Two Standards of Keeping the Sabbath
“Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day? Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill? But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ? Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is. Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me. Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come. And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?” (John 7:22-31)
Commentary
The Response of Jesus’ Hearers:
1. The Pharisees (v. 32-36)
The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him. Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come. Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles? What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?
2. The Believers Touched by the Holy Spirit (v. 37-40)
In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for
the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) Many of the people therefore, when they
heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.
3. The Doubters (v. 41-49)
Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? So there was a division among the people because of him. And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him. Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him? The officers answered, Never man spake like this man. Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived? Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him? But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.
4. Nicodemus (v. 50–53)
Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,) Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth? They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet. And every man went unto his own house.
Two-day FEBC Retreat at Our Mersing Lautan Biru Resort
By Tai Mei Lan
Mersing first beckoned me on 14 Nov 1977 when Pastor Tow led Lifers up 100 miles for a Bible Retreat in Mersing, a small town on the South East Coast of Malaysia. 26 years later, on 17 Nov 2003, Mern Yee and I, with the children, are privileged to attend the FEBC End-of-Term Retreat at our Mersing Resort.
The 90-odd brethren comprising the Principal, Faculty, students and lovers of FEBC left Gilstead Road in two coaches and two cars at 8 am. Two and a half hours later, we arrived safely at our destination after lunch at a local Chinese restaurant. The South China Sea was still as inviting as ever but what caught my eye was the magnificent structure of the Resort, with its façade overlooking the South China Sea. The splendid design and architecture of the Resort, with unique features such as the huge open courtyard, dome-shaped windows and basketball courts originated from Pastor who had our youths in his heart and mind as he planned. Praise the Lord for bestowing this charming piece of paradise on earth for our rest and enjoyment primarily and not for monetary gains.
We proceeded to the meeting hall for the highlight of the Retreat, namely the FEBC Thanksgiving Service at 7.30 pm. In his exhortation, true to his Master, Pastor challenged us to seek the glory of God and not our own glory when he expounded these verses: “I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another,” (Isa 42:8). “..Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD..” (Jer 9:23-24). “He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.” (John 7:18).
The manifold heart-warming and enthusiastic praise items rendered by the FEBC students were most delightful and must surely please the Lord, in as much as they uplifted our spirits tremendously. How touched we were by their singing “in tongues”.
Hot on the heels of the service was sweet fellowship among the brethren over a savoury supper of satay and chee cheong fun. Not a few hardy men and women stayed up late into the wee hours of the morning to talk, share, encourage and exchange testimonies. Such a spontaneous and informal fellowship session is a special blessing peculiar to Bible retreats or camps and usually occurs on the last or, in this case, only night of the retreat.
Awaking to a bright sunny morning and tranquil surroundings the next day, we were treated to a scrumptious breakfast of nasi lemak, roti prata and kueh kosui, after which we prepared for Morning Chapel at 9 am. Rev. Quek exhorted the FEBC students to build up and maintain the spirit of unity and love in the Lord Jesus Christ as he expounded Psalm 133:1. Then followed a round of testimonies which flowed freely as FEBC students took turns to declare the infinite goodness of the Lord towards them and the bounteous blessings He has bestowed upon them through the FEBC.
Lunch at the porch followed at 12.30 pm, after which the zesty students surprised their Principal with a birthday celebration complete with cake, candles, gift and a many-paged card. After Pastor and Mrs Tow each said a few words, we adjourned to the driveway porch to have a group photograph taken.
Then all too soon, the Retreat drew to a close and after some free-time, we packed our bags and boarded the waiting coaches and cars at 4 pm.
By God’s grace, we had a final delectable dinner at a Chinese restaurant in Johor Bahru and returned to Singapore, our home sweet home. As we thank God for journey mercies and recall His goodness towards us at Mersing, may the Lord grant the Principal and Faculty of the FEBC the power to stand “steadfast, unmoveable, securely fastened on the Rock, even our Lord Jesus Christ, and His holy, inspired, infallible and inerrant Word”. May He also richly bless and strengthen the FEBC students as they study His Word that as in time they return to their homelands, they may be bright lights for Jesus shining in darkness, and that as they toil and labour on, they may not faint nor falter, as they await the harvest and the time of reaping when they shall surely come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves! Amen.
