In this lesson, we explore the powerful connection between John 3:16 and Genesis 22, the story known in Jewish tradition as The Binding of Isaac (the Akedah). While John 3:16 is one of the most quoted verses in all of Scripture—"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son"—its language and message draw directly from Genesis 22, where God commands Abraham to offer up his son, his only son, whom he loves. This was not lost on first-century Jewish audiences. By Jesus’ time, Isaac was no longer viewed simply as a passive figure, but as a willing and obedient martyr, joyfully accepting his role in God’s redemptive plan. The Gospel of John echoes this interpretation, presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of that pattern—a Son given, not taken, whose willing sacrifice becomes the ultimate act of love. We'll cover: - The literary and theological structure of John 3:14–18 - How the first mention of “love” in the Bible (Genesis 22:2) shapes the meaning of John 3:16 - The concept of “olah” (burnt offering) and drawing near to God - How Abraham’s journey mirrors the spiritual journey of offering what we love most - The surprising symbolism of the disappearing donkey - And a look at ancient Aramaic Targums, which show how Isaac’s story was interpreted in Jesus’ day This is a rich and layered study that connects two foundational texts in a deeply meaningful way. 👉 Don’t miss this opportunity to see how the Gospel of John is rooted in the soil of the Hebrew Scriptures. 🔔 Subscribe to stay connected with more in-depth Bible studies rooted in ancient Jewish context. --------------------------------------------------------- www.figtreeteaching.com Join the Fig Tree Coffee Club - Starting January 14th, 2026 Check Website for Times and Dates https://www.figtreeteaching.com/store/p3/Fig_Tree_Coffee_Club.html Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support the Ministry when you shop at Amazon! Fig Tree Amazon Portal: https://amzn.to/3USMelI YouTube: https://youtu.be/BqiPTem2fQ0 Lesson Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/john-316-explained-through-genesis-22 Genesis 22 with Interpretive Notes: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_genesis_22_interpretive_notes.pdf Targum Comparison: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_binding_of_isaac_targum_comparison.pdf Books Mentioned - We participate in the Amazon Affiliate Program. You will support Fig Tree Ministries when you use the links below. Abraham & Family - https://amzn.to/4j0aLQ6

What does it mean when Jesus says He has “come down from heaven” (John 3:13)? In this full-length teaching, we explore the rich biblical imagery behind God’s descent into the world—a pattern rooted in Creation, the Exodus, and ultimately fulfilled in Jesus. We’ll unpack the spiritual metaphor of “up” and “down,” a concept that is woven throughout the Bible and the human experience. From the burning bush to the Tabernacle, from Sinai to the cross, this episode traces how God’s redemptive movement has always been a descent toward His people. Discover how John uses spiritual geography and the structure of the Exodus to show us that Jesus is not only the one who brings new life—but the one who redefines what it means to be born from above. ✨ Topics Covered: - The metaphor of “coming down” in Genesis, Exodus, and John - Up/Down spiritual geography and psychological metaphor - The Hebrew word nes (נֵס): banner, sign, miracle - Baptism, rebirth, and the longing for spiritual renewal - Jesus as the fulfillment of the New Exodus 🕊️ Key Passages: John 3 · Exodus 3 · Numbers 21 · Isaiah 11 · Romans 6 · Psalm 122 --------------------------------------------- www.figtreeteaching.com Join the Fig Tree Coffee Club - Starting January 14th, 2026 Check Website for Times and Dates https://www.figtreeteaching.com/store/p3/Fig_Tree_Coffee_Club.html Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support the Ministry when you shop at Amazon! Fig Tree Amazon Portal: https://amzn.to/3USMelI YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yu9eO9_ZbP4 "From the Deep" Song - https://youtu.be/KWjazSZ7JV0 Lesson Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/spiritual-geography-god-comes-down Article: God Comes Down: Spiritual & Psychological Geography https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_article_god_who_comes_down_cosmic_geography.pdf Chiastic Structure: Tower of Babel: https://youtu.be/8B8JjGFEvgs Books Mentioned - We participate in the Amazon Affiliate Program. You will support Fig Tree Ministries when you use the links below. Sandra Richter - The Epic of Eden https://amzn.to/4rjgmEY Lakoff & Johnson - Metaphors We Live By https://amzn.to/3LQZlBK

In this second part of our study on the Parable of the Good Samaritan—what I call the Parable of “Who Is My Neighbor?”—we slow down and walk carefully through the full passage of Luke 10:25–37. Too often, we read this story quickly and miss the powerful dialogue unfolding between Jesus and the Expert in the Law. Together, we’ll explore: - The initial question that sets the stage: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” - The follow-up challenge: “Who is my neighbor?” - The concluding exchange that reveals the Expert’s heart—and ours. This parable presses us to wrestle with one of the most fundamental issues of the human condition: Who am I required to show love to? - What about those we think don’t deserve it? - The people who frustrate, offend, or oppose us? - The neighbors who vote differently, live differently, or simply get under our skin? Jesus calls us to a higher vision of love—to see the humanity and divine image even in those we struggle to love most. Join me as we uncover how this parable invites us to live out the radical, restorative love of God in our world today. --------------------------------------------- www.figtreeteaching.com Join the Fig Tree Coffee Club - Check Website for Times and Dates https://www.figtreeteaching.com/store/p3/Fig_Tree_Coffee_Club.html Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support the Ministry when you shop at Amazon! Fig Tree Amazon Portal: https://amzn.to/3USMelI YouTube: https://youtu.be/n-Et-5cKkWo Parable of the Good Samaritan Part 1: https://youtu.be/4qVhSfG_JxY Lesson Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_good_samaritan_lesson_outline.pdf My Notes on Luke 10:25-37: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_notes_to_good_samaritan_v2.pdf Article: All We Need Is Love, Right? https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_all_we_need_is_love_right_v2.pdf Article: The Broad Ways of Love's Action https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_the_ways_of_love.pdf Books Mentioned - We participate in the Amazon Affiliate Program. You will support Fig Tree Ministries when you use the links below. Brad Young - The Parables - https://amzn.to/46tsKKc McArthur & Johnston - They Also Taught In Parables - https://amzn.to/48zrPsP Amy Jill Levine - Short Stories by Jesus - https://amzn.to/3Khmk8i

In this first part of our two-part study on the Parable of the Good Samaritan—what I’m calling the Parable of “Who Is My Neighbor?”—we explore how parables function as teaching tools in the first-century Jewish world. Too often, we pull this parable out of its surrounding dialogue and treat it as an isolated story, which leads to misunderstanding its original meaning. In this lesson, we’ll: - Unpack how parables worked for Jesus’ audience. - See why context matters by examining the four sections around the parable. - Discover how the parable directly answers the question, “Who is my neighbor?” Join me as we reframe one of Jesus’ most famous teachings within its historical and textual setting. By returning the parable to its dialogue, we gain a richer and more transformative understanding of Jesus’ challenge to love our neighbor. #ParableOfTheGoodSamaritan #WhoIsMyNeighbor #BiblicalContext #FigTreeMinistries ------------------------------------------------ www.figtreeteaching.com Join the Fig Tree Coffee Club - Check Website for Times and Dates https://www.figtreeteaching.com/store/p3/Fig_Tree_Coffee_Club.html Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support the Ministry when you shop at Amazon! Fig Tree Amazon Portal: https://amzn.to/3USMelI Lesson Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/parable-of-the-good-samaritan-part-1 YouTube: https://youtu.be/4qVhSfG_JxY Article: All We Need Is Love, Right? https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_all_we_need_is_love_right_v2.pdf Article: The Broad Ways of Love's Action https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_the_ways_of_love.pdf Books Mentioned - We participate in the Amazon Affiliate Program. You will support Fig Tree Ministries when you use the links below. Brad Young - The Parables - https://amzn.to/46tsKKc McArthur & Johnston - They Also Taught In Parables - https://amzn.to/48zrPsP Amy Jill Levine - Stort Stories by Jesus - https://amzn.to/3Khmk8i

In this concluding lesson of our John 3 introduction series, we trace the remarkable journey of Nicodemus—one of the most overlooked redemption stories in the New Testament. Most readers know Nicodemus from John 3, where he comes to Jesus at night, symbolizing spiritual darkness. But John doesn’t leave him there. We next encounter Nicodemus in John 7, quietly defending Jesus against the other religious leaders—signaling a break from the collective “we” of the Pharisees. Finally, in John 19, we see Nicodemus fully transformed, stepping boldly into the light and bringing an outsized amount of myrrh—a burial and resurrection spice—for Jesus’ body. 📖 In this lesson, we explore: - How Nicodemus’ appearances in John 3, 7, and 19 tell a story of ongoing transformation - The symbolism of night and day, darkness and light, and the journey of faith - How Nicodemus embodies the process of redemption that John invites all of us into—moving from spiritual darkness to spiritual enlightenment Through Nicodemus’ journey, John shows us that redemption is not instantaneous but a process of courage, separation, and new devotion. 👉 This is the final lesson (Part 4 of 4) in our John 3 introduction series—“Redeeming Nicodemus”. --------------------------------------------------- www.figtreeteaching.com Join the Fig Tree Coffee Club - Wednesday @ 9 AM Central Time https://www.figtreeteaching.com/store/p3/Fig_Tree_Coffee_Club.html Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Fig Tree Amazon Portal: https://amzn.to/3USMelI Lesson Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/breaking-free-of-literalism-in-johns-gospel YouTube: https://youtu.be/2jZaQg2c0NQ A Great Resource on Bethany as a leper colony Bargil Pixner - Paths of the Messiah https://amzn.to/4ggazL4 Article - Breaking Free From Literalism https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_john_breaking_free_from_literalism.pdf Article - Rethinking Grace https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_rethinking_grace_updated_8_16_2025.pdf

In this third lesson of our John 3 introduction, we shift from John’s rhetorical device to the rich symbolism and character development woven throughout his Gospel. 📖 In this lesson, we cover: Major Symbolism in John’s Gospel – We explore recurring images such as light and darkness, water and Spirit, birth and new life, and how these themes shape John’s message about Jesus. Characters as Symbols – John intentionally crafts his characters so they embody themes and ideas, helping us grasp the deeper truths he is communicating. Each person we meet in John’s Gospel symbolically illuminates aspects of Jesus’ mission and the kingdom of God. By recognizing John’s symbols and his purposeful use of characters, we can move beyond surface-level reading and appreciate the theological depth of his narrative. 👉 This is Part 3 of 4 in our John 3 introduction. Stay tuned for Part 4 as we continue unlocking the layered meaning of John’s Gospel. ---------------------------------------------------- www.figtreeteaching.com Join the Fig Tree Coffee Club - Wednesday @ 9 AM Central Time https://www.figtreeteaching.com/store/p3/Fig_Tree_Coffee_Club.html Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Fig Tree Amazon Portal: https://amzn.to/3USMelI Lesson Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/breaking-free-of-literalism-in-johns-gospel YouTube: https://youtu.be/YqL1MzYJ9IY A Great Resource on Bethany as a leper colony Bargil Pixner - Paths of the Messiah https://amzn.to/4ggazL4 Article - Breaking Free From Literalism https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_john_breaking_free_from_literalism.pdf Article - Rethinking Grace https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_rethinking_grace_updated_8_16_2025.pdf

#194 - Breaking Free of Literalism in John's Gospel - Gospel of John (pt. 29b) by Scott Broberg

Before diving into John’s unique rhetorical device—where Jesus makes a statement, the listener misunderstands it literally, and then Jesus explains the deeper meaning—we first need to step back and ask: What do we mean by inspiration? For many modern Christians, the word “inspiration” often conjures the idea of God dictating word-for-word to the biblical authors. But scholars today do not understand the process that way. Instead, inspiration is seen as a dynamic partnership: God communicates an inspired message, while the author freely expresses it through his own personality, style, and cultural tools. This understanding allows us to appreciate how John shaped his Gospel with artistry and intent, using rhetorical devices and imagery his first-century audience would have recognized. By seeing John not just as a passive recorder but as an inspired communicator, we begin to notice the depth and brilliance behind the Gospel’s structure. 👉 Join us for this journey into John’s Gospel and prepare for Part 2, where we’ll see his rhetorical device in action! ----------------------------------------------------- www.figtreeteaching.com Join the Fig Tree Coffee Club - Wednesday @ 9 AM Central Time https://www.figtreeteaching.com/store/p3/Fig_Tree_Coffee_Club.html Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Fig Tree Amazon Portal: https://amzn.to/3USMelI Lesson Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/inspiration-rhetoric-john-3 YouTube: https://youtu.be/F9sC7Ds32tY Article - Breaking Free From Literalism https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_john_breaking_free_from_literalism.pdf Article - Rethinking Grace https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_rethinking_grace_updated_8_16_2025.pdf

In Part 2 of our deep dive into John chapter 2, we explore the process of transformation—and why it’s so difficult. Transformation isn’t instant. It’s painful. And that’s why John frames his Gospel with a call to zeal—a passionate commitment that carries us through the soul-wrenching work of becoming who God calls us to be. In this lesson, we explore: ✅ The Hebrew word qorban (offering) and its root qarab, meaning “to come near” ✅ How offering something valuable is the way we draw close to God ✅ Paul’s teaching that we are the offering—a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1) ✅ Why Paul uses Jesus’s suffering, death, and resurrection as metaphors for spiritual formation ✅ What it means to undergo an ego death—putting to death the parts of us that no longer serve the goal of abiding with God This teaching emphasizes a powerful principle: “The more difficult the commandment, the greater the sacrifice it demands—and the closer it draws you to God.” To love your neighbor, forgive those who’ve hurt you, and pray for your enemies—these are not easy tasks. They demand the death of pride, bitterness, and self-justification. But in surrendering those parts of ourselves, we step into the resurrected life of Christ. 📖 Join us as we journey deeper into the symbolic meaning of John 2 and discover what it truly means to offer ourselves in zeal and grace. ----------------------------------------------------- www.figtreeteaching.com Join the Fig Tree Coffee Club - Wednesday @ 9 AM Central Time https://www.figtreeteaching.com/store/p3/Fig_Tree_Coffee_Club.html Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Fig Tree Amazon Portal: https://amzn.to/3USMelI Lesson Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/becoming-the-offering Article - Zeal, Grace, and Transformation: A Deeper Look at John 2 https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_zeal_grace_and_transformation_john_2.pdf Article - Rethinking Grace https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_rethinking_grace_updated_8_16_2025.pdf YouTube: https://youtu.be/v1ji11lFcZ8 The Critical Journey: https://amzn.to/4lMwXNs Old Testament Pseudepigrapha: https://amzn.to/40YrnzW

Music based on Genesis 1. God brings order and beauty From the Deep.