Verily, Verily

Part 2 of 2

Jesus’ death

Jesus was preparing his followers especially his disciples for his death when saying "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." (John 12:24) They probably did not understand at the time but later the Holy Spirit enabled them to recall his words. In farming crops grow from seeds which produce about 110 seeds per plant (in some figures for winter wheat.) Then one of those seeds can be kept to be planted to produce another, on average.110 seeds. Therefore one seed turns into a plant which produces many more than itself. There was a purpose in Jesus’ death–it would produce fruit. These are the first fruits. 3,000 were added on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:41) In the New Testament seven churches are listed in Turkey in Revelation 2 and 3, not forgetting Colossae, Miletus, as well as places over the Middle East like Caesarea and in Europe–Rome, Corinth, Philippi and Thessaloniki, Berea and islands like Crete, Cyprus, and Malta–an immediate fruitage. This has continued to our end of the age to all continents and islands. Truly the death of Jesus produced much.

Jesus was also preparing them for his death when he said "Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy." (John 16:20) They were not aware of the suffering saviour referred to in Isa.53 who would die as a sin offering. It was necessary for them to hear these words he was foretelling as they would be recounting them at a later date and for us today. Importantly their joy would be in Jesus’ resurrection. This is our joy too.

The resurrection is the centre of the Christian message starting first with the resurrection of our Lord Jesus and then being rolled out in due time to cover all the world of humankind and this was his message when he said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath He given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation (judgment, crisis)." (John 5:25‑29) Truly this is a wonderful passage.

Verily negative

"Truly, truly, I say to you. we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony." (John 3:11 ESV) These are further words to Nicodemus who did not believe what Jesus said at that time and was not becoming a disciple. It seems Nicodemus did not believe in Jesus as the promised Messiah and son of God and it was beyond him to acknowledge that Jesus was God’s son. However, Nicodemus with Joseph of Arimathea did bury Jesus when it would probably have had negative consequences for them with the Sanhedrin so it is possible he became a believer and surely many in the kingdom will want to hear from Nicodemus if he is on earth rather than in heaven.

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise." (John 5:19) Clearly one point we can take from this is once again Jesus is the Son of God which was why he was able to do miracles. Though others did wonders and signs like Moses, Elisha (Shunammite’s son.2 Kings 4) as well as Peter and Paul. With Lazarus the power of prayer enabled Lazarus to come forth. However it appears to be more in relation to the Father’s will, plans and purposes and that being the guiding light to Jesus’ movements and actions.

"Verily, verily, I say to you — Every one who is committing sin, is a servant of the sin." (John 8:34 YLT) It is as Paul said that we would not, that we do although our intent is to be sinless. (Rom.7) In John Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees and knew they wanted to kill him. That was their sinful desire. Jesus was implying he was the son of God and not a temporary servant. He could make them free as the Son, (v.36) free from the law of sin and death. But that relied on them recognising Jesus as the son of his Father in heaven.

There is a well‑known verse which is unusual because it was a very personal statement to Peter. It is found also in Matthew (26:34) and Mark (14:30). "Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice." (John 13:38) Peter was an apparent extrovert with a fervent belief in Jesus as Christ. The background although personal can be set in the context of service and sacrifice of the Church during this Christian era. Peter said he would lay down his life for Jesus. It is recorded that he cut off the right ear of one of the band of men that had come with weapons to arrest Jesus. (John 18:10) Later Peter followed Jesus with another disciple to the door of the palace of the high priest. The lady at the door asked if he, Peter, was one of Jesus’ disciples. Later when warming himself by a fire that night another man warming himself asked if Peter was one of Jesus’ disciples? Then a servant of that High Priest, asked Peter if he was with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. All three times he denied Jesus. At this time he only had a measure of the spirit and would not receive the Holy Spirit till Pentecost. It was a timely reminder it would be challenging to be a follower of Christ. After Pentecost the N.T. records the faith of those like Stephen, James, Paul, and Peter.

The final repeated declaration in John to Peter says, "truly, truly...when you were young.you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go." (John 21:18 ESV) The KJV uses the word "gird" as it’s like a belt it infers his movements would be controlled by others. Peter was arrested and put in prison. (Acts 4:3; Acts 12:1‑4) It is recorded he was released both times according to God’s will. Schofield suggests Peter wrote his second epistle about A.D.66 so he may have died of old age. Peter’s martyrdom is not recorded in the New Testament but tradition says he was put to death and there is no evidence to say that it was not so for Peter.

James was martyred. (Acts 12:2) Paul, and Silas were imprisoned in Philippi. After that Paul appears to have been in house arrest twice when deported to Rome as a Roman citizen although a Jew. In Paul’s final epistle he says, "I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand." (2 Tim.4:6) Paul’s martyrdom is also not recorded in the New Testament. We do not have the references to confirm the manner of his death but our Lord Jesus’ words in the closing chapter of John’s gospel may suggest what would happen to those other than Peter when they were older. The last record we have of one of the twelve is John on the island of Patmos for his personal safety. It appears this true saying is about the end of Peter’s ministry in service of his Lord and the church but could be indicative of others in the early church.

Then finally to Judas. Jesus was "troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me." (John 13:21) It seems almost incomprehensible that one of his disciples would betray him and thus effect his death. But so it was and Jesus knew in such detail what would happen. Indeed Psalm 41:9 hints of a betrayal and the price seems noted by Zechariah (11:12‑13) and maybe these verses were on his mind. Jesus warned "you will be betrayed even by parents, and brothers, relatives, and friends; and they will put some of you to death." (Luke 21:16 NKJV) In this case it was sad for the rejection of the Saviour who would die as a ransom for all. It’s a failure in service and sacrifice and Judas was not able to live with his betrayal and ended his life.

All these are precious declarations of our Lord and Saviour that he highlighted as important.

NAC