John 1

John wrote his gospel around 85-90 AD; it was most likely the last gospel written. John was aware of the other accounts in existence so his account is a little different; the book covers only about 3 weeks, and 10 chapters are for 1 week. He states his purpose for writing later in the book.

And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. (John 20:30-31 KJV)

You’ve got to know Him, not religion. Plenty of religious people perform many works, hoping to make it to heaven. But our works are insufficient. That’s a hard point for many people to accept; it’s much more comfortable having a list of things to do and avoid; then we can check off items and keep track of how we’re doing. Haven’t killed anyone? Check. Went to church? Check. Helped a little old lady across the street? Check. But salvation by God’s grace alone? Many people can’t accept it.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. (John 1:1-2 KJV)

Notice a (not so) subtle clue of the trinity here. Three distinct persons, yet one God. John states the Word was with God — you can’t be with yourself, can you? Many cults claim Jesus is a created being or the brother of satan. But does that make sense? Would a loving God send someone else to do something he was unwilling to do? If Jesus isn’t God it makes God out to be a meanie; He sent someone else to suffer as He was unwilling to do so. If God is a God of love, that can not be.

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:3 KJV)

This destroys evolution (which is wrong for lots of reasons, a few of which we’ll see later in this chapter). God created the earth in seven days; it’s not billions of years old. (many times I use 15 billion years as the age of the universe just to avoid argument. It’s not that I believe it or the evidence supports it, I just don’t want to get hung up on a minor point). Some people try to reconcile trendy scientific thought with the Bible by “Theistic Evolution” — the idea God started the creation and then let billions of years of evolution finish it. These people point out the Hebrew in Genesis 1 is unspecific; the word translated day can mean period or age so it’s possible the six days were really millions of years. While that’s a valid theory based on the Genesis passage alone, we must always consider the entirety of God’s word — a passage in Exodus comments on the creation and leaves no doubt as to the meaning.

For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. (Exodus 20:11 KJV)

The context speaks of a week as we’re used to it — seven 24 hour periods. Thus it’s obvious the creation was six 24 hour days. Seeing the creation in the same context as the sabbath day makes this clear. No reason exists to believe the Exodus passage would speak of ages in one part of the sentence and a 24-hour period in another.

So far John states Jesus is eternal and created the universe. He’s already dealt with several heresies with the creation and the diety of Jesus. John will continue to make the point during this chapter the focus should be on Jesus.

Creation — it’s all about Jesus.

In him was life; and the life was the light of men. (John 1:4 KJV)

Jesus is life; contrast with Buddha or any other spiritual leader. Jesus claimed to be God, life and the only way to salvation. Naturally, you can choose to reject any or all of that if you wish, but as we continue through the book the claims of Jesus should be clear. This is one area were today’s scholars and Jesus seminar people are behind the Pharisees. At least the Pharisees understood what Jesus claimed to be. They rejected it of course, but at least understood; people today desire to deny the claims as if they didn’t exist.

Light provides discernment. When you’re in a dark room you really can’t see anything (that’s why you stub your toe on the kitchen table as you walk toward the refrigerator in the middle of the night for a midnite snack). To avoid the problem, you just turn on the light. But life is no different; it’s dark out there, and you can’t really see where you’re going. But allow Jesus to provide light and discernment for you and you won’t stumble along the way.

Life — it’s all about Jesus.

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. (John 1:5 KJV)

The word comprehend is unfortunate for translation as the Greek has more of the flavor of admit or receive — the darkness won’t allow the light in; it doesn’t want to. You’ve experienced people like this who are very closed minded and simply won’t listen to anything. Personally, I don’t mind if people consider the evidence and reject Jesus and the Bible. After all, it’s their choice. But to completely refuse to even consider is illogical (for people like that it’s fun to remind them the mind is like a parachute, it only functions when open).

Some people don’t like light as they want to continue in their path toward death and destruction. For whatever reason, they’ve already made their choice and don’t want to be confused with facts. But the Light shines anyway — God wants all to be saved and everyone has the opportunity for salvation. Christianity is not an exclusive club only some people can get in — everyone is invited.

Perhaps you’ve seen the bumper sticker “Christians aren’t perfect — just forgiven”. That’s a pretty good summary of the situation. No one will be in hell for their sin — they’re in hell for rejecting the provision God made for their sin. We’re all sinners and in need of a savior. Some accept it, some don’t. But the light (the opportunity for salvation) shines on all.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. (John 1:6-7 KJV)

John the baptist (JB) was sent from God. This will become important later as the Pharisees question him. John had no formal training or authority in the human sense; all he had was God’s calling. Too many times we look for someone with a certain degree or seminary training, but forget God can call anyone at any time. Yes, it’s important to verify someone really is called from God, but that does not require someone to have a certain background or certificate hanging on the wall.

But just as John’s calling was clear, so to was his mission. Unlike many people today, John does not call attention to himself; his only mission is to witness about Jesus. He himself doesn’t matter. For the interested reader, you can find more about JB in Matthew 3:1-12, Luke 3:1-20 and Mark 1:1-8.

John’s mission — it’s all about Jesus.

He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. (John 1:8-9 KJV)

John, of course, was not the source of light. Unfortunately many people fail to grasp that. We hear so much of “inner light” and so on, but in reality no inner light exists. You can only reflect the true light — Jesus Christ.

Chuck Missler has a good analogy using Holograms. Holograms are made by the interference pattern of laser light on a subject. The film doesn’t record the image, but the interference of the laser light as it’s reflected. What’s interesting is if you illuminate the film with the light from a different laser (wavelength), you get a false image; you have to illuminate the film with light from the laser that created it.

So to with the Bible — if you illuminate it with anything else besides the light of the Holy Spirit, you get a false image (or a cult). But if you use the Holy Spirit, an image of Jesus appears.

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. (John 1:10-11 KJV)

The great tragedy of all history occurs as the creator of the universe comes to his own people, and they reject him. Perhaps you know the feeling of your family rejecting you, but can you imagine having something you created reject you? It’s hard to imagine.

I have a dog who (just after we bought him) contracted Parvo (a stomach-flu like virus that actually kills many of the dogs it infects). He’d been throwing up for a few days when we finally called to find a vet who could give him an I.V. You see, after a few days of throwing up he couldn’t even keep water down and became severely dehydrated. We stayed up with him for days, then spent a considerable amount of money on the veterinarian, visited him during his week stay in the hospital, and then nursed him slowly back to health.

After all that, it would be a big tragedy for him to turn his nose up at us — they people who cared for him all along. Of course, the dog didn’t (he’s turned out to be a great dog); perhaps the dog is smarter than the people who openly and defiantly reject their creator.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the children of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12-13 KJV)

Here’s the key. You have a chance to become a child of God if you do receive Him. It’s really your choice. Just like my dog, we are all born with a problem — sin. My dog couldn’t do anything about his condition and needed someone to intervene for him. Just as the dog can’t fix his parvo virus we can’t fix our sin problem and require the intercession of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sin.

You can receive Christ and be pardoned for your sin or you can be judged for your sin. It’s your choice. You have a pardon available if you want it, but you must reach out and accept it.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth. (John 1:14 KJV)

The Apostle John witnessed these events. Obviously, personal eyewitness testimony leads considerable credibility to John’s accounts. In fact, John was in the “inner circle” which also included James and Peter. These disciples were often with Jesus alone and perhaps knew Him better than the others.

John bore witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spoke, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. (John 1:15-16 KJV)

This John is of course JB (or John the Baptist) — I usually just call him JB to avoid the confusion. Notice JB has a self-image problem as he refuses to give himself any credit (This is the guy Jesus will later say is the greatest of all born of women).

For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John 1:17 KJV)

Notice the contrast as the law came from Moses but grace and truth come from somewhere else; the Mosaic law was powerless to save. The Pharisees had a big problem as they placed their hope in their ability to keep the Mosaic law. Paul spends the opening chapters of Romans dealing with the law and what it means for the Jew. The law was only to show you your sin.

But a bigger problem lurks for those believing a set of rules can save them. Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount demonstrates the impossibility of keeping the law. When it says “thou shalt not murder” it’s easy to believe you can keep that, right? Wrong. Jesus says if you’ve called someone an empty-head that’s enough. The law is spiritual — you have no hope of keeping it. And if you break the smallest part of it, you’re guilty of breaking it all.

No, the Law can’t save — that’s placing our trust in works! Recall Jonah chapter one as the sailors find the storm is caused by Jonah, and also find out what they must to do quiet the storm — throw Jonah overboard (a sacrifice). However, they don’t immediately do that, instead attempt to row to shore (offering their works) which won’t work. Works don’t work. Sin requires a sacrifice and our attempts to short-cut the system fail. You can’t change the rules God made; your works are worthless, insufficient and unnecessary.

No one hath seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him. (John 1:18 KJV)

Do you want to know God? Look to Jesus. A great spiritual thirst exists in almost everyone I meet. Everyone wants to know God, but people become distracted by the various cults. Satan’s strategy is to cause confusion and distraction among people so they can’t find the true God. Yet it’s not hard as Jesus declares God. Unfortunately, too many people reject Jesus, and as a result can’t find God.

Jumping ahead in John’s gospel to chapter fourteen, Phillip (who I can imagine was confused about who exactly Jesus is), says simply “show us the Father, and it is enough for us”. That’s what everyone wants, just to see the Father. Jesus replies in a strange way “if you’ve seen me you’ve seen the Father, how can you say, ‘Show us the Father?”’.

For everyone who wants to see God it’s simple — look at Jesus. The mission of JB was to point to Jesus (our mission is the same by the way). Naturally, the Jewish leadership would be confused, so they wanted to check it out for themselves.

Now this is the witness of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” (John 1:19 KJV)

We face the same question JB did — who do you represent? Why are you different? Why aren’t you acting like everybody else? Anyone out of norm with the world is suspicious; “be nonconforming like everyone else” is the world’s motto. It’s curious to see how even the anarchists and other groups (like the 60’s hippies) all conform to the same standard. Truly, they all non-conform to the same standard. But someone who really is different raises eyebrows for everyone. So who is JB?

And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. (John 1:20 KJV)

The fact we are not God should be obvious, yet people like Shirley McLaine (“out on a broken limb”) can jump up and down claiming to be their own god and become very popular. She is no more the Christ than I.

However, a more subtle trap awaits the Christian. No Christian would claim to be God like Shirley McLaine, however, how many times do we usurp Godly authority with thoughts like:

• I AM able to help myself.
• I AM able to advise you.
• I AM able …

Nope, JB says I AM … NOT! I am not the Christ, I am not able to help you, I am not able to save you. However, what I can do is point the way to the guy who can save you: Jesus. Our mission today is the same as JB’s. We should not attract attention to ourselves, but instead only point to Jesus. Too many ministries claim attention for themselves instead of giving it to God. If people are focused on you instead of God, your ministry is worthless. Perhaps that’s why the church is so ineffective in this country.

And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elijah? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? (John 1:21-22 KJV)

They won’t accept his testimony, but look for an official person approved by some authority. John only had God’s authority. People are more comfortable if you’re from an assigned group with credentials. But if JB doesn’t have an manly credentials, what does he have to say for himself?

He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaiah. (John 1:23 KJV)

It’s interesting what JB didn’t do here — he didn’t ask for money or point to the book table or anything else. Even when given a chance to draw attention to his ministry he didn’t; this is a valuable lesson for us. JB never called attention to himself; he only pointed to the real I AM. This doesn’t mean books or tapes or ministries are bad, just calling undue attention to yourself (like “The John doe ministry”). We do have people who are gifted as speakers, teachers and writers and they should be encouraged to continue to use their gifts; just remember it’s not about them — it’s all about Jesus.

And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elijah, neither that prophet? (John 1:24-25 KJV)

Anytime someone is not from our group we’re suspicious. That’s a natural human tendency. We tend to gather with people of our same social group, political affiliations, religion, etc. and are wary of people from outside the group. In fact, John himself displayed that problem in Luke chapter nine when they come across people who were casting out demons but weren’t of their group. John wants to stop them, but Jesus corrects him.

John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He it is who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to loose. These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. (John 1:26-28 KJV)

Again, JB is given a chance to promote himself, and again he passes on the opportunity (in case you’ve missed the subtle hint, Chapter one of John’s gospel has the theme ‘It’s all about Jesus’). But worse than that, JB again displays his poor self-image by saying he isn’t even worthy to untie Jesus’ sandle. You see, the lowest servant removed shoes. Come on, JB, perhaps you need Zoloft. Or why don’t you tell me about your mother?

Of course, I’m being flippant here, but the point is JB did have a good self-image. He understood his relationship with God and how he fit in. One thing I do agree with the liberals is we do have a self-image problem — we have way too much. Our problem is too much “you deserve a break today” and not enough understanding of our real position.

However, I’m sure you’ve met people who go too far the other direction — a sort of false humility. You know the kind, “I can’t really do anything, I have no talents”. But that’s not true. God says every Christian has at least one gift, and it’s time the church started to get out and use them! If you do have the idea you can’t do anything when God says you can, you’re calling God a liar — and that’s not humility folks, that’s pride. We do need a healthy self-image. Too far in either direction isn’t good. JB is a good example.

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. (John 1:29-31 KJV)

JB needs Zoloft. He’s obviously depressed and lacks a good self-image. Why does he keep putting himself down? He says someone he doesn’t know (a stranger) is better than he? Perhaps JB needs a good seminar on self-improvement — after all, he deserves a break today.

Of course, that’s not true; JB simply understands his role. He simply bears testimony of who is the real solution. JB doesn’t need Zoloft, Prozac or the purple pill (those grasshoppers aren’t really good at 2AM). He’s doing fine with Jesus. (I don’t mean to imply there aren’t people who have serious mental problems and need help. If you know someone like that you would be derelict in your duty if you didn’t get them help. Sometimes it’s a pastor or other friend, sometimes it’s a doctor; every case is different. It just seems we’re too eager to pop a pill as the solution to our problems instead of dealing with the base issues)

JB also recognizes we’ve got a sin problem and nothing has fixed it. The Pharisiees believed keeping the Law solved the problem. But it didn’t. JB knew the problem still existed and can only be solved by Jesus.

And John bore witness, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Spirit. (John 1:32-33 KJV)

JB had supernatural confirmation Jesus was the one he had been talking about.

And I saw, and bore witness that this is the Son of God. (John 1:34 KJV)

John witnessed the events he writes about; this is not legend or made-up. It’s interesting to hear skeptics today claim to know what occurred thousands of years ago, all the time ignoring the accounts of someone who was there. The only reason for doing so is they don’t want to believe.

Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. (John 1:35-37 KJV)

This is amazing as the men following JB leave and follow Jesus. Once again, JB understands his mission and his relationship. He doesn’t pout or complain. I wonder what would happen today with some of the TV preachers who only want the glory for themselves? They certainly haven’t learned the lesson of JB — it’s all about Jesus.

Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? (John 1:38 KJV)

Jesus’ main question to them as well as everyone — what are you looking for? Fame, fortune or eternal life? If fame or fortune, no guarantee exists. But if eternal life, you’ve come to the right guy. Solomon in Ecclesiastes noted the vanity of life as riches, possessions and stuff didn’t satisfy him, even though he didn’t withhold anything from himself. If Solomon (who had much more than I ever will) couldn’t find happiness with stuff, what makes you think you will? (Hint: you won’t).

Their question asking Jesus where He stayed means they really didn’t know what to say. Have you ever had the experience when meeting someone for the first time and the topic turns to the weather? It’s something to talk about when you have nothing else.

He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. (John 1:39 KJV)

Jesus always invites; we get an answer the skeptics should love — come and see. Jesus doesn’t ask you to accept Him on blind faith, check it out for yourself. While doubters often mock Christians as being stupid and gullible, it’s interesting the scriptures tell us to be the opposite — we’re called to be skeptics. As we progress through the gospel, we’re going to take a skeptical look at John’s gospel and see how it holds up.

Let’s take a brief look at what real blind faith is in a letter to the editor:

A good analogy for the question of “do you believe in evolution” is “do you believe in gravity” … Similarly, the evidence for evolution is all around us, from the size of bananas in your kitchen to the color of flowers in your vases, to fossils exposed whenever a basement is dug into the Eugene formation, to the flu viruses in your nose … The sad fact is that most people are so ignorant of the world around them that they never notice the evidence for evolution. (Register-guard Feb 14, 2004 Letter to editor).

What evidence? Science is based on experimental evidence to prove or disprove a hypothesis. In other words, no experiments, no science. I’ve asked a few questions of the evolutionist I’d like to see their experimental evidence for (if you have experimental data for any of these, please contact me — I’ve asked these for several years, and haven’t had anyone yet give any. I’ve never come across any in my studies in the sciences either).

1. Matter comes from nothing. This is the basis for the “big bang”. First there was nothing, and then it exploded. Actually, science can never create an experiment for this as it’s hard to imagine (let alone create) an environment where not only matter doesn’t exist, but space itself doesn’t exist.
2. Non-living goo can become alive. After the big bang, suddenly out of a bunch of goo a living cell emerges! This has never been observed. If I told you to close my office door and come back later and a dog would be there what would you think? Does the passage of billions of years make this any more believable? (OK, I’m being a little flippant, but you get the idea. I’ve yet to see an experiment to show life comes from non-life)
3. Transitional forms (Darwin himself said these would be innumerable). This of course has been (and will continue to be) highly debatable. However, it’s fun to ask your evolutionary friends to name 20 transitional forms. They’ll probably point to some moths in Europe who changed colors as proof changes occur. Of course they’re still moths — no new genetic information was produced.
4. Explosions produce order. Suppose I came over to your house for dinner. After dinner I stated I’d help unloading the dishwasher, but I’ve got a faster way. You see, we’ll just throw in some dynamite and then all the dishes will become neatly stacked. Absurd? Of course.

NO experimental evidence exists for any of these. No, the evidence for evolution is not all around us — at least scientifically (according to the scientific method). It takes considerable faith to abandon your scientific principles and accept the dogma of evolution which violates so many of our accepted laws.

Internationally respected astronomer (and self-confessed agnostic) Robert Jastrow admits that scientists have been “traumatized” by coming up against a problem that must forever remain beyond them [the idea of how the universe came into existence].

Jastrow concludes his book [God and the Astronomers] “For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountains of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries.” (Heeren, Fred “Show Me God” page 121-122)

In contrast, we are called to be skeptics — look at Acts 17:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:21 and elsewhere. You are required to check things out for yourself. You should never take what your pastor says (or what I write) as fact — check it out for yourself. Just by looking at the joke of evolution, we see an example of the absurdities man will go to to cling to their ridiculous dogma. Don’t fall into the trap; remain anchored to the Word of God. Christians (and others) fall victim to cults because they don’t check things out for themselves.

Any honest teacher will tell you the same; anyone who says trust them they have the only answer is trying to deceive you. Remember JB? What’s the mission? (Jesus is the answer). Be skeptical of anyone who draws attention to themselves and away from Jesus. JB didn’t and is a perfect model for us.

One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. (John 1:40-41 KJV)

And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jonah: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. (John 1:42 KJV)

Jesus sees the potential in Peter, not what he is now. Jesus knows what Peter will do; did he know Peter would deny Him later? Of course. Yet he knows Peter will later become a pillar of the church. Right now, he’s got problems (we can identify with Peter because he has many of the faults we do. Ready, fire, aim, that’s Peter!). Yet I’m encouraged, because God looks for imperfect people for his work.

The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. (John 1:43-44 KJV)

Bethsaida means “house of fishing”. Notice Jesus wanted to go and find Philip. Why seek him out? Just like in chapter four with the woman at the well he actively seeks out the lost. Too often we hear people say “I found the Lord 10 years ago” or something like that. Unfortunately that’s not true. By our own we do nothing to find God, as Paul reminds us.

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. (Romans 3:10-11 KJV)

And if that wasn’t clear, Paul also says …

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8 KJV)

We are so sick we can’t even have faith without God’s help. Maybe that’s not what you wanted to hear, and it definitely goes against what you hear (every day in every way we’re getting better and better), but it’s the truth no less. Man is a sinful, depraved creature and left by himself will not be good.

Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. (John 1:45-46 KJV)

Nathanael was a skeptic who wanted to see for himself. Yet he didn’t deal with the issue (Jesus as the Messiah) but on a side issue — Nazareth. Many people want to get off on side issues (the age of the universe, errors in the Bible, other religions,etc.). It’s your job to steer them back to the real issue — What do you think of Jesus? We can talk about other items later, but we need to focus on Jesus first. Be like Philip and tell them to come and see; check Jesus out for themselves.

Nathanael also had prejudice against Nazareth. People need to overcome their own preconceived ideas about Jesus and approach with an open mind. Nathanael gets points for being a skeptic, but loses them for not being open minded. True skeptics must be open minded and never allow their own ideas to bias them. To his credit, Nathanael decided to check it out for himself.

My job is not to argue someone to Jesus, just check it out for yourself. My job is information; what you do with it is up to you. If you consider the facts, analyze them and reject Jesus it’s your choice. (You’ll regret the choice later, but that’s another point). That’s what free will is about. The Lord himself explains this to Ezekiel.

Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. (Ezekiel 3:17-19 KJV)

That’s our job just like JB and Ezekiel — we’re watchers on the wall warning people; don’t try and save them, just give them information. It’s the Holy Spirit’s job to convert them, it’s only our job to speak the words.

Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. (John 1:47-49 KJV)

Notice Nathanael’s progression from skeptic to believer. Because he came with an open mind and analyzed the facts for himself he decided Jesus was exactly who he said.

Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man (John 1:50-51 KJV)

If we pause and look back at these guys (the disciples) do you think Jesus knew them? Their strong points, their failures? Of course, yet he still worked with them in spite of their failures. God never gives up.