Analysis process of inductive study of John 6:1-2
Tim Chang • April 8, 2020
John 6:1-2, analysis
From the observation of John 6:1-2, we have discovered many hidden things that were not apparent.
The following are the summary of the observation:
1. It took at least four days to get from Jerusalem to the Sea of Galilee
2. Jesus had great multitudes who followed him because Jesus healed all of them
3. Jesus must have gone through Samaria, a shorter route than the normal route that the Jews take, because of the account in John 4.
4. The Samaritans warmly welcomed the multitudes, and Jesus healed and taught there before going over to the Sea of Galilee.
To an in-depth analysis of the passage, you reflect on the observed facts.
1. It took at least four days to get from Jerusalem to the Sea of Galilee.
If it takes at least four days to get from Jerusalem to the Sea of Galilee, why did John left out the details of the journey?
How did the Jews travel in those days?
Why did Jesus travel so much from Jerusalem to the Sea of Galilee to go back to Jerusalem at a later date for the feasts of the Jews?
2. Jesus had great multitudes who followed him because Jesus healed all of them
How do we know that Jesus healed all of them?
Who are these multitudes? Were these multitudes mainly Jews? Were the great multitudes related to one another?
How big were the many multitudes?
What were the interests of these multitudes? Did they work? Why were they in Jerusalem? What caught their attention that they followed Jesus? Where are the twelve disciples of Jesus?
3. Jesus must have gone through Samaria, a shorter route than the usual way that the Jews take, because of the account in John 4.
Did Jesus take the shortest route cutting through Samaria? If he did, why did he do that? What effect did John 4 account of the woman at the well in Samaria have on this journey for Jesus and his disciples? Why did Jews avoid Samaritans? How would a Samaritans react to the Jews hating on them? If the woman at the well in Samaria was the reason for Jesus going through Samaria, did Jesus visit this place often? Then, why did John not record these journeys in detail?
4. The Samaritans warmly welcomed the great multitudes, and Jesus healed and taught there before going over to the Sea of Galilee.
Were the great multitudes the Jews? If they were, why did they go through Samaria following Jesus? If they followed Jesus into Samaria, it must have been their first time in Samaria.
What were the responses of the Jews and Samaritans in their first interaction? What were their prejudices against the Samaritans that were shattered when they come into the town? What did Jesus do in Samaria? If Jesus healed the sick, cast out the demons, and taught in Samaria, what were the responses of the mixed crowd of Jews and Samaritans? Did the Samaritans harbor hate against the Jews that they did not feed or sheltered them or they welcomed the Jews because of Jesus? After this event, did the Jews return to Samaria and visit them, as they have become friends? The Jews who came into Samaria, did they continue to go through Samaria when they go to Jerusalem or did they revert to their old ways of avoiding Samaritans?
These are some of the obvious questions that we can derive from the observation of the passage.
During the analysis phase of the inductive process, the qualities of the questions asked will determine the qualities of the analysis you will do, resulting in quality application and conclusion. When you first begin the analysis phase, your questions might not be as good as you want them to be. There may be many reasons why this may be the case. One of the main reason for it is that you did not spend enough time and energy observing the text. Good observations lead to good analysis.
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Jesus, I desire to seek the throne of God at this moment. I know I am not worthy, and none of my work or accomplishments have any bearing on my ability to access God the Father. At this time, I pray and plead that you would cover my heart, thoughts, body, soul, spirit, environment, surroundings, and circumstances with the blood that you shed for me on the cross. Holy Spirit, I desire to seek the throne of God at this moment. I am accessing God the Father through the blood of Jesus Christ, as he has said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Holy Spirit, who knows the deepest things of God and searches my heart. I plead you to grant me the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation so that when I pray to the Father, the meditations of my heart and the prayers will please God the Father. Father God, I come to You, not by my righteousness or merit. I come to You humbly on one hand with the blood and the torn flesh of Jesus and on the other, the Holy Spirit. I plead You to look at the blood and the torn flesh of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. He is the reason in my life and the only way I come to You. Please accept my petitions and prayers as the Holy Spirit leads it. Father God, I remember and believe in Jesus' prayer at the Mount Gethsemane. He pleaded to Father God; I remember and believe in Jesus's prayer at Mount Gethsemane. He pleaded to You, "Not my will, but Your will be done," three times. I want to pray like Jesus and my sincere heart to be like Jesus. However, You know my heart. The shortcomings and all thereof. Therefore, I plead and ask, the blood of Jesus, which was shed for me at Mount Getsemene, that I, too, will pray the things of God, like Jesus. Father God, I remember and believe in the blood that Jesus has shed for me as he wore the crown of thorns. If I am under any curse, by my sin or other means, I plead and pray the blood of Jesus that he shed for me when he wore the crown of thorns on all curses and their effects. In the name of Jesus Christ, I command that all curses placed upon me be broken at this time by the power of the blood of Jesus Christ. Father God, I remember and believe in the blood that Jesus shed for me when he was whipped forty times by the Roman soldiers. Isaiah 53 states that Jesus became blue and bled internally and bled externally in extreme pain due to my inequities and transgression. The scripture states that I have been healed by the stripes that Jesus has received on my behalf. I pray and plead the blood of Jesus that he had shed for me when he was whipped upon my life’s iniquities, lacking, diseases, emotional and physical diseases, relational issues, and other issues due to my iniquities. I pray and plead that the blood of Jesus that he shed for me as he was whipped be upon all these things I prayed. In the name of Jesus Christ, I command all iniquities, diseases, and unwholesome things in my life to be restored whole at this time by the power of the blood of Jesus Christ. Father God, I remember Jesus carrying the cross up to the place where he was hung. He bled while carrying the cross. Jesus said, “If anyone wants to follow me, deny yourself, pick up your cross, and follow me.” I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, not by my might but by the blood he has shed for me while carrying the cross. I remember the places where he fell and picked up the cross as the Roman soldiers were whipping him, and people were shaming and physically harming him. The blood Jesus has shed for me while carrying the cross was for me so that I can become a disciple of Jesus. I remember when Simon carried the cross to the hill, you showed me that I, too, can carry my cross and follow you. Therefore, I plead and pray that the blood you have shed for me while carrying the cross is upon me, and by the power of the blood, I may be thoroughly equipped and encouraged to carry my cross and follow Jesus. I pray and plead that the blood of Jesus he shed for me as he carried the cross be upon my walk as a disciple of Jesus. In the name of Jesus Christ, I command all things hindering me from being a good and faithful disciple of Jesus be destroyed at this time by the power of the blood of Jesus Christ. Father God, I remember when he was nailed hand and feet upon the cross and suffered for six hours; he has shed his precious blood so that he can save me from sin and death. So that sin and death have no dominion over me. Father God, I pray and plead that the blood of Jesus Christ that he has shed for me on the cross be upon the past, present, and future of my life and completely submerged in it so that I, too, can live a life as "I've been crucified with Christ. Therefore, I no longer live, but Jesus Christ lives in me." I pray and plead the blood of Jesus and declare that my life is no longer but only in Jesus Christ. In the name of Jesus Christ, I command my soul and body to submit to Jesus Christ's wishes and desires at this time by the power of the blood of Jesus Christ. Father God, I remember when Jesus gave up the ghost, the Roman soldier pierced his side, and his heart burst, and blood and water came out. Jesus did not reserve anything but gave all for me. I pray and plead that the blood and water that came out when the Roman soldier speared Jesus' side be upon me. I access Your throne in boldness and confidence by the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed from the piercing of the heart. I pray and plead that You look at the pierced heart and the blood and water that came out on behalf of me. Although unworthy, I come to Your throne boldly because of what Jesus has done for me, the blood he shed. Father God, teach me the most profound things that only the Son knew. Lead me to live in the most secret parts of God and let me live the way that makes my Lord Jesus joyful. In the name of Jesus Christ, I command all evil spirits, dominion, and powers that hindered me from accessing the deepest desires of God by degrading me and accusing me of being destroyed by the name of Jesus Christ. The blood of Jesus Christ be upon all the areas and influences that these wicked forces have occupied and be wholly transformed into Jesus' likeness. Holy Spirit, as You have granted me the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation, I ask You to reveal what I should pray and how I should engage in spiritual warfare. I humbly ask You to take me and reveal the things of God that have been hidden for eternity. I humbly ask You that I will be a suitable vessel to You and Your ministry. Holy Spirit, take over my heart, thoughts, body, soul, spirit, environment, surroundings, and circumstances as Jesus' blood has done. After these prayers, do not hurry, but wait for God and His instructions to come into your heart. It may take a long time, but stay patient and keep meditating on the six bloods of Jesus Christ. God will reveal Himself to You because of the promise that is in the blood of Jesus.
Hosea 4:6 says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." This verse explicitly mentions knowledge rather than wisdom, which is an interesting observation. It emphasizes the specific knowledge God has given to His people, which meant not only for survival but for thriving. This living knowledge comes from Jesus's works on earth and is applied to us through faith, specifically through His blood. In any spiritual warfare, our weaponry consists of the name of Jesus and the works He has accomplished for us. Our only connection to God is through Jesus, as He stated, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." God desires us to invoke Jesus in the spiritual battlegrounds. Instead of merely asking God to fight for us, He wants us to exercise the power and authority that has been bestowed upon the saints through Jesus. Many saints are unaware of the power and authority that God has granted them. Each saint represents God on earth, like an ambassador. God has called us to be priestly kings. Saints who do not exercise the power and authority God grants are like police officers who do not exercise their authority to maintain order and law. A truck may be physically more powerful than a policeman; however, when a police officer tells the truck to stop, it complies. The truck stops not because the officer is physically more powerful but because the state has given the officer the authority to command it. Similarly, God has given us authority as saints under Jesus' leadership. Jesus is the head of the church, and all saints make up His body. He paid the price for saints to exercise their authority on earth. However, if a saint is ignorant of their authority, the enemy can take advantage of that ignorance.
2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. In the Book of Colossians, we come across a verse resembling a treasure map leading to precious resources. The scripture reveals that unique treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Jesus. These treasures are not typical; God actively conceals them, and only those who earnestly seek Jesus will discover them. Jeremiah 33:3 states, "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." The treasures of wisdom and knowledge found in Jesus are incredibly powerful in spiritual warfare. Since God actively hides them, they are not easily discovered by anyone. Access to these treasures is granted only to those who continuously seek Jesus and whom He allows to find them. It resembles a treasure hunt or a game of hide-and-seek, where the pursuit leads to a significant and mysterious reward. When we dedicate our daily lives to walking with Jesus, our relationship with Him becomes the key to uncovering these hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge. In the Book of Revelation, Jesus provides a white stone inscribed with a name that no one knows except the person who receives it. This stone symbolizes the hidden treasure in Jesus and is personal to the recipient; no one else can understand its significance. This unique gift can significantly benefit the individual, especially during spiritual warfare. The hidden treasures discovered in Jesus will activate and create turmoil in the spiritual realm. These treasures embody the hidden knowledge of God, who brought the universe into existence from nothing. They represent the essence of creation itself. Those who reflect God's personality, character, and way of living will have access to these invaluable treasures regarding the creation account.
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him The Apostle Paul was nearing the end of his life when he wrote the epistle to the city of Ephesus. He had gone through numerous mission trips, faced life-and-death situations, and endured many near-death experiences in his efforts to spread the gospel. Whenever he thinks about the church in Ephesus, he gives thanks to God for their growth in Jesus. Paul felt a sense of pride in the church of Ephesus and encouraged them to continue fighting the good fight. Before discussing spiritual warfare, he expresses his personal greetings and mentions that he prays for the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation to be upon the church. The Spirit of Wisdom enables the saints to view their current situations and circumstances from God's perspective and values. The church of Ephesus struggled to understand many things. Paul desired for them to receive the Spirit of Wisdom to help them interpret their experiences and be patient as they endured difficult circumstances. When the saints see their situations through God's perspective, they can step back from actively engaging in the struggles and find comfort in God's sovereign reign, though they may not understand from their perspective. The Spirit of Revelation is God's insight into future events, presented with a current understanding of His values. God knows everything, including the future, and the Spirit of Revelation functions like a Spirit of Prophecy, revealing things that will happen in the future but are understood in the present. When the Spirit of Wisdom works in harmony with the Spirit of Revelation, both present and future events can be interpreted from God's perspective, allowing the saints to find comfort in His omnipresence and sovereignty. In other words, the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation is granted to the saints for the purpose of discernment. There are numerous approaches to solving issues and problems when engaging in various spiritual battles. Some solutions may achieve quick resolutions, while others may require more time and effort. With the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation manifesting in a saint involved in spiritual warfare, the Spirit of Wisdom can provide specific guidance on how to engage, including which spiritual weaponry to apply to each target. The Spirit of Revelation can reveal the most effective means to combine these strategies for defeating the enemy. A saint filled with the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation operates like a super radar, functioning at the highest frequency to cover nearly everything happening in the spiritual realm. Instead of solely focusing on the physical realm and its effects, the saint can discover the source of issues and can directly address those sources for quick relief. When encountering demons and evil spirits, each has specific characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses. The Spirit of Wisdom can identify these traits in real-time and guide the saint in engaging in spiritual attacks using the power of Jesus' blood. Similarly, the Spirit of Revelation can assess the situation from a future perspective, enabling the necessary discernment to execute effective spiritual warfare. The enemy may employ different attack vectors and types when engaging in spiritual battles. These various spirits may sometimes be intertwined, and the Spirit of Wisdom will help identify each individual spirit by its unique characteristics. However, when the Spirit of Revelation shines light on the same situation, it can reveal that some spirits may not be the main controlling spirits, although present. If only these surface spirits are addressed, the immediate issues may seem resolved, but the deeper, underlying problems remain unaddressed. Therefore, the collaboration of the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation leads to coherent and comprehensive solutions for the spiritual warfare at hand.
After a great victory at the city of Jericho, Joshua began a siege against the town of Ai. Confident in his tactics and disregarding the need for divine consultation, he assumed that, since Ai was a small town, victory would be easily achieved. Unfortunately, he viewed this battle purely through human reasoning, failing to recognize that our own power or might does not win true victories. Every battle Joshua faced in the land of Canaan was a form of spiritual warfare that required direction from the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit understands God's deepest truths and is the spiritual realm's creator. Later, Joshua faced a significant defeat, which led him to repent and seek guidance from God. His experience in the battle of Ai illustrates the nature of spiritual warfare. After experiencing great victories, we can become overly confident, which may lead to pride—similar to the "Pride of Life." This pride can take root in our souls, even if we acknowledge that we are crucified with Jesus and carry the spirit of martyrdom. Ultimately, victories are not achieved through our own efforts but through the power of God. As Ephesians 6:12 reminds us: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual wickedness in high places." The tactics of spiritual warfare do not adhere to the rules and laws of the physical world. We cannot afford to make the same mistake Joshua made in his spiritual battles. The consequences of ignoring God's guidance can be severe and costly. Like Joshua, we must earnestly seek the counsel of the Lord and wait humbly for clear directions before proceeding.
The seven instances of Jesus' blood being shed empower all saints to access the throne of God and engage in spiritual warfare. Revelation 12:11 states explicitly that the saints overcame the Devil "by the blood of the Lamb." Previously, we examined the different types of blood and their applications. To continue our exploration of spiritual warfare, we must examine the other two components in Revelation 12:11: "By the Word of Their Testimony" and "not loving their lives unto the death." The second element in defeating the Devil is "by the word of their testimony." This testimony is closely connected with the final part of Revelation 12:11, which states, "and they loved not their lives unto the death." In other words, we are talking about martyrdom. So why is martyrdom considered the ultimate weapon in spiritual warfare? The truth is that, according to Romans 8, nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus, which is the strongest bond for any saint to enjoy. However, to experience this bond, the saint must endure through the path of self-denial, ultimately leading to martyrdom. Jesus said that the greatest love is to lay down one's life for a friend. The Bible explicitly states that when Jesus died for us, it was while we were still sinners, in enmity with God. We were enemies of Jesus, yet He died for us. The death of Jesus represents the greatest love God has shown to fallen humanity. The One who died for us created our most profound bond through His precious blood. The six instances of blood that Jesus shed for us testify to God's fulfilled covenant. Simultaneously, these instances of blood represent the ultimate weapon against the Devil. Yet, for any saint to utilize the efficacy of Jesus' blood, they must be willing to be a channel for that blood to flow onto the spiritual battlefield. When the Apostle Paul said, "I have been crucified with Christ," he was not physically present at the crucifixion. His confession is based on the belief that when Jesus was crucified, it was for the sake of all sinners. Though he was a sinner himself, Jesus bore the consequences of sin on the cross. Although Paul was not there at the cross, he spiritually identified himself with Jesus at that moment. Because the Apostle Paul was crucified with Jesus, he endured numerous sufferings and near-death experiences. The Devil could not hold onto him, not because he was an apostle or a "super Christian," but because Paul took upon himself the consequences of that spiritual crucifixion. When Apostle Paul was unified with Jesus on the cross, the Devil had no ground to attack him. The blood of Jesus completely covered Apostle Paul, and because his spiritual crucifixion was ongoing, the Devil could not overcome him. The same principle applies to all saints today. Those who do not cling to their lives will gain them, while those who love their lives will lose them. Jesus stated this paradoxically, as those who have not experienced self-denial cannot understand or accept such a spiritual truth. A saint with no attachments to the world and who lives a life that genuinely reflects the crucifixion will be free from the Devil's grasp. This is a life in which the individual actively carries their cross, just as Simon did for the Lord along the Via Dolorosa. Thus, when a saint employs the six instances of Jesus' blood with a spirit of martyrdom, the Devil cannot overcome that saint. This guarantees our victory in every spiritual battle. But why do we sometimes experience seemingly insurmountable defeats? Having an effective arsenal in any warfare is advantageous, but without precision and proper strategy, that weaponry becomes a wasted effort. In spiritual warfare, we often mistakenly rely on past victories and experiences for current battles. This is a serious error, as each spiritual conflict is unique, with varying stakes at play.
