THE GOSPEL: The "Beattitudes" Lesson!

And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. (Matthew 5:1)

Jesus had healed a great multitude of people, and thousands of them had followed Him and the disciples to the coast of Galilee. (Mark 3:7-10; Luke 6:17-19; see THE GOSPEL: Everythig in God's Time) There He taught His longest sermon, covering almost every topic that will deal with man's relationship with God and man's relationship with eachother.  This is the first lesson of that sermon:

Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: 
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:1-12; Luke 6:20-26)

Christ gets to the heart of the issue from the very beginning; our main problem is ourselves! We are ...not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. (Romans 12:3) This does not mean we should not consider ourselves at all, because the summary of the commandments tells us to: 1. "'And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. 2. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31; Matthew 22:37-40; Luke 10:27)  So how do we become "blessed" the way God desires us to be?  Well, the scriptures tell us very clearly:

To inherit the kingdom of heaven, The sacrifice you [God] desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. (Psalm 51:17 NLT) First, we must repent, ask God to forgive us for our sins and sincerely intend to live the right way, by obeying His Word.  A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor. (Proverbs 29:23) And The Word is Christ Jesus, therefore ...if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” ...for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:9-13)

To receive the comfort of God, after we have repented of our sins, we must accept Christ Jesus as our Savior and Lord, so that He can ...heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; ...comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn..., To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:1-3) And we will have need for comfort from God, because as we will read in the following scriptures, people will reject us and the message, even family and friends. 

To inherit our eternal home in the new heaven and new earth, we must not get caught up in the people and things of this world, but remain humble. Trust in the Lord and do good.  Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper— it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land. Soon the wicked will disappear. Though you look for them, they will be gone. The lowly will possess the land and will live in peace and prosperity. (Psalm 37:3-11 NLT)

To have a full life, while we're still here on the earth, we need to worry less about filling our bodies with physical food, but we need to become consumed with the spiritual food of the Word of God.  “Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink— even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk— it’s all free! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food. “Come to me with your ears wide open.  Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love... (Isaiah 55:1-3 NLT) Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! (Psalm 34:8)

To receive mercy from God, or in other words, if we don't want God to give us what we deserve, judgement and punishment for our sins, then we have to also forgive others who have sinned against us, and we must not treat them as less than human if they choose to continue living in sin. So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you. (James 2:12-13 NLT) For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and rose  and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way. (Romans 14:8-13)

To be able to see God, while in the flesh and when this life is over, we must demonstrate the character of God, in other words become and behave as Christians, Chrsit-like. Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord?  Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises even when it hurts. Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever. (Psalm 15:1-5 NLT)

To be called a child of God, we must learn how to live at peace with all people. Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. (Titus 3:1-2)  Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.  Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.(Romans 13:1, 3, 7, 8, 10, 13-14)

To receive our eternal reward for being a child of God and submitting our lives to Him, we also must understand and accept the fact that many people will have a hard time believing that we have changed, and in our desire to lead others to this new life that they too can have in Christ, many people will reject the message and the messenger, us. And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (I Peter 3:13-17) To me, living means having Christ. To die means that I would have more of Him! (Philippians 1:21 NLV)

The lessons of Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount"! Refer to the previous lessons, to study the entire sermon in context:The "Beattitudes" Lesson!; "Salt & Light" Lesson!; Importance of The Commandments!; "You Shall Not Murder" Lesson!; "You Shall Not Commit Adultery" Lesson!; 'Til Divorce Do Us Part?; Watch Our Mouth, and Responses!; Don't Be A Hypocrite, A Show-off!; God and His Kingdom First!; Don't Judge; Be An Example!; Follow The Leader!; Not Just Hearers, but Doers Also!

THE GOSPEL: Everything in God's Time!

And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all. (Luke 6:17-19)

The three gospel books that record this event elaborate on different details.  Above, Luke states the facts very clearly with very little additional information.  Matthew explains how this event was the fulfillment of a prophecy from the book of Isaiah: But Jesus knew what they were planning. So he left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them, but he warned them not to reveal who he was. This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him:

"Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen.

He is my Beloved, who pleases me.

I will put my Spirit upon him,

and he will  proclaim justice to the nations.

He will not fight or shout or raise his voice in public.

He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle.

Finally he will cause justice to be victorious.

And his name will be the hope of all the world. [Isaiah 42:1-4]"
(Matthew 12:15-21 NLT)

What's so amazing, no miraculous about Isaiah's prophecy is that it was written nearly 1,000 years before Jesus was born, yet the details are so accurate. Even the detail of the location of the miracles, "...And the coastlands shall wait for His law.” (Isaiah 42:4) But Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea. And a great multitude from Galilee followed Him, and from Judea and Jerusalem and Idumea and beyond the Jordan; and those from Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they heard how many things He was doing, came to Him.  So He told His disciples that a small boat should be kept ready for Him because of the multitude, lest they should crush Him. For He healed many, so that as many as had afflictions pressed about Him to touch Him. (Mark 3:7-10) 

Mark's recording also includes a very interesting comment, regarding what people filled with demonic spirits said, before Jesus cast the spirits out of them: And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw Him, fell down before Him and cried out, saying, “You are the Son of God.” But He sternly warned them that they should not make Him known. (Mark 3:11-12)  Several times leading up to this, Jesus has made similar comments to people, and had specifically addressed the demonic spirits in others (see THE GOSPEL: Even Demons Obey). Jesus told His mother Mary, just before He performed His first miracle that "My hour has not yet come. "(John 2:4)  He told the two blind men after He healed them “See that no one knows it.” (Matthew 9:30) When He healed the man of leprosy, He said “See that you say nothing to anyone." (Mark 1:44) We will even study in a future lesson of two demon possessed men who tell Jesus  “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” (Matthew 8:30)

Of course no one listened to His warning because great multitudes kept following Him and the disciples wherever they went, based on the testimony of those He healed and those who witnessed the miracles.  But Jesus knew the Jewish leaders ...the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him. (Matthew 12:14) Nothing could happen to Him until the appointed time by God, which was to be after Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem before the Passover (John 13:1-4).  Then after all other things that were to take place took place, Jesus would say "The hour has come." (Mark 14:41) Nothing could happen to Jesus until the time God appointed it to happen, and everything in our lives happens when it's supposed to happen and for a reason, according to the will of God.  But if we believe in Christ Jesus as our Savior and Lord, then we can rest assured that ...having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. (Ephesians 1:9-10)

THE GOSPEL: Sabbath was Made for Man!

And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath." (Mark 2:27) "Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:28; Matthew 12:8; Luke 6:5)
 
As we've studied in previous lessons, the Pharisees and Jewish leaders were looking for any reason to accuse Jesus of some crime.  In their religious opinion, Jesus continued to break their Sabbath laws and traditions (see THE GOSPEL: Any Day Is A Good Day).  No matter the reason, they were going to accuse Him of doing wrong. At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. And His disciples were hungry, and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!” But He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and ate the showbread which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? [I Samuel 21:1-9] Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless?  [Leviticus 6:1-13] Yet I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the temple. But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’[Hosea 6:6] you would not have condemned the guiltless. (Matthew 12:1-7; Mark 2:23-26; Luke 6:1-4)

Basically Jesus is explaining to the Jewish leaders that no matter what day of the week it is, if a person has a real legitimate need and the ability to satisfy it, they are free to do so.  Jesus and his disciples were hungry.  Eventhough the plucking of heads of grain was considered working on the Sabbath, they ate it immediately to satisfy their hunger.  Being that these leaders are knowledgable of the Old Testament scriptures, Jesus references specific accounts of when their beloved forefathers did what was not acceptable on the Sabbath, because God allowed it, due to the circumstances.  God desires mercy and not sacrifice; For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise. (Psalm 51:16-17)

Jesus is trying to explain to the Jewish leaders that all the laws and commandments God gave the children of Isreal was to help them see their true condition and their need to turn from sin, repent.  They were not to use these instructions God gave them as a "get out of jail free" backup plan, while they continued to live disobedient lives.  Jesus also made it clear to the Jewish leaders that the temple was a building used by God, but that there is One greater than the temple.  King Solomon, who built the first temple explained that in his prayer to God after the building of the temple was complete: “But will God indeed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built! (II Chronicles 6:18, see HEBREWS: The Real Tabernacle)  The lesson to all of us is we can't get so caught up in the things of this world that we lose focus of Who's most important, God and our relationship with Him, through our faith in His Son, Christ Jesus!  Show respect for the things of God and obey authority, but never use any of that as an excuse to not give help to someone or receive help when needed.

Now when He had departed from there, He went into their synagogue. And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—that they might accuse Him. Then He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? [Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?] Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” (Matthew 12:9-12; Mark 3:1-4; Luke 6:6-9) The simplicity in Jesus' rebukes are absolutely wonderful; K.I.S.S. Rule (Keep It Simple, Stupid)!  Who can argue against His explanation.  Do whatever needs to be done, even if it is on the Sabbath, just like we would on any other day, as long as it is good! 

And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him. (Mark 3:5-6; Matthew 12:13-14; Luke 6:10-11)  No matter what we may tell some people, and no matter what proof they may see for themselves, if they have hardness of their hearts, they are not going to believe.  It's sad and hurtful; even Jesus was grieved by the hardness of their hearts.  We must learn to not take people's rejection of the Truth personally.  The perfect example is when God told Moses to go to Pharaoh and ask him to let the children of Isreal leave Egypt.  How did Pharaoh respond to the Word of God? And Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, as the LORD had said. (Exodus 7:13) Pharaoh repeatedly refused the requests of Moses, to the point that God finally said, Then I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD.” And they did so. (Exodus 14:4)

God gives All of us ample opportunity to see, hear, accept and believe the Truth, but And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; (Romans 1:28) He is not going to force Himself on us, nor is He going to force any of us to believe.  As we will study in a future lesson , Jesus taught that all the proof and evidence anyone should need in order to become a believer has already been done, But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’” (Luke 16:31)  Let's make sure we don't get caught up in philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. (Colossians 2:8) But instead let's Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

THE GOSPEL: Indisputable Witnesses!

This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one. (I John 5:6-8, see Blood, and Water)

Do you want to live forever? Then, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. (John 5:24-27) 

Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. (John 5:28-30) Ours souls, ALL of us, will spend eternity somewhere, either in the new heaven and new earth (Revelations 21-22:5), or hell and the eternal lake of fire (Revelations 20:11-15).   We will study in more detail in a future lesson from Jesus' teaching that everyone who died before His resurrection either go to "Abraham's Bosom"  or "torments in Hades" (Luke 16:22-23). "Abraham's Bosom", "Paradise", "heaven" all refer to the same place, because ...to be absent from the body [is] to be present with the Lord. (II Corinthians 5:8)  "Hades", "hell", "Sheol", "lake of fire" all refer to the same place.

Every single human being who has ever lived will have to appear before the "judgment seat" of God, For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.  (II Corinthians 5:10)  Whether our judgement happens in a moment or is played out before others doesn't matter.  What matters is that we will be judged by God, and His judgment is final!  There's no changing our minds after the fact!  Just like Jesus explained about the ones who go to Hades vs. the ones who go to Abraham's Bosom, ...between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’ (Luke 16:26) 

First we'll be judged on what we believe, as Jesus said, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life.  Those who don't believe in God, His Son nor are filled with His Holy Spirit go to hell.  That's it!  No long drawn out explanation by God.  But for those of us who do believe in God, His Son, and are filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30), then Jesus promises, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work." (Revelations 22:12)  But this everlasting life and rewards isn't withheld from us until after our physical bodies die.  If we choose to believe in Christ Jesus as our Savior and Lord, ...the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. (Romans 8:11) For Jesus said, I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)

Why should we believe any of this to be true? "If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true. There is another who bears witness of Me, and I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is true. You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. Yet I do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you may be saved. He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light. But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. (John 5:31-40)

We can believe all these things Jesus said to be true, because they have been confirmed: His coming was prophecied accurately and in great detail throughout the Old Testament; God spoke clearly from heaven to the hearing of thousands of witnesses at his baptism saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22); and the entire New Testament is documented fact from eye witnesses of Jesus life and resurrection. "I do not receive honor from men. But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God? Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you—Moses, in whom you trust. For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. [Luke 24:27] But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” (John 5:41-47)

We who believe have to have the same attitude as Jesus did, not worry whether people believe us or not, not even worry if they believe the Word of God or not, but just Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. (II Timothy 4:2) But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. (II Timothy 2:23)  God doesn't need us to prove anything to anyone!  He will prove all that is written in the scriptures to be the Truth, especially the things pertaining to His Son and everlasting life; Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11) Let's not be life the Jews who refused to believe The Truth, eventhough "it" was staring them in their face! (John 5:18)

Why December 25th?

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11)

The reference, Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night (Luke 2:8) leads many biblical and historical scholars to believe that born to you this day had to be in the spring time, the spring lambing season, which would explain why the shepherds were keeping watch over their flock by night.  It's very unlikely that the shepherds would be doing that during the cold winter months.  But even that can not be proven beyond doubt.

The Jews remained in capitivity by the Romans for several centuries after Christ's death and resurrection.  It's widely believed that the Christian Jews in Rome decided to have a day to celebrate the birth of Christ, and they chose a date during the same time of the year that the Roman society had various celebrations for all of their pagan diety.  The Jews wanted to have a celebration during the same time that would draw attention to the True God.  For more historical detail, read "How December 25 Became Christmas".

As we've studied in a previous lesson, One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. (Romans 14:5, see THE GOSPEL: Any Day is A Good Day). That same truth applies here. Jesus' actual birthdate is not recorded in the scriptures, and we have to accept that as part of the perfect will of God. However, Jesus was born, and that is worth acknowledging, just like we acknowledge our own birthdates.  This December 25th, lets make sure to do as the wisemen, who ...fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: (Matthew 2:11) ...that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1, see The Perfect Gift, A Body).

MERRY CHRISTMAS, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS, THE CHRIST!

The Perfect Gift, A Body!

Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:

“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,
But a body You have prepared for Me.
In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin
You had no pleasure.
Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—
In the volume of the book it is written of Me—
To do Your will, O God.’” [Psalm 40:6-8]

Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10:5-10)

This Christmas, let's remember the uniqueness and significance of the baby, Jesus:

Jesus is the I AM!
Jesus is the Lord your God.
Jesus is the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
Jesus is the head of all principality and power.
Jesus is the maker of all things.

Jesus is the Passover.

Jesus is the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Jesus is the Word of God in flesh.

Jesus is the only begotten Son of God.
Jesus is the Son of God's love.
Jesus is the image of the invisible God.

Jesus is the firstborn over all creation.
Jesus is the Son of man.
Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

Jesus is the sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Jesus is the one sacrifice for sins forever.
Jesus is the the firstborn from the dead.

Jesus is the good shepherd, who gives His life for the sheep.
Jesus is the door of the sheep.
Jesus is the vine, you are the branches.

Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world.

Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega.

Jesus is the Beginning and the End.

Jesus is the First and the Last.

Jesus is the Advocate with the Father.

Jesus is the Mediator between God and men.
Jesus is the head of the body, the church.

Jesus is the propitiation for our sins.

Jesus is the intercession for us.
Jesus is the fulfillment of the law.
Jesus is the light of the world.
Jesus is the bread of life.
Jesus is the living bread which came down from heaven.
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.
Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
Jesus is the baptizer with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is the one who is worthy to be praised!

All of that and so much more was wrapped up in the body of the baby Jesus!
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1-2) Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. (I Corinthians 6:19-20)

God has given us all that He has!  Let us give back to God ourselves! 

Merry CHRISTmas!

THE GOSPEL: Any Day is a Good Day!

One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. (Romans 14:5-6)

We find Jesus on the road again, leaving Nazareth, and After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. (John 5:1-4) We read in scripture that at various times God uses water in the process of healing a person, like when the Prophet Elisha instructed Naaman to go into the Jordan River to be healed of leprosy (II Kings 5:1-19).  The use of water by God for cleansing, purifying and healing was nothing unusual to the children of Isreal.

Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years.  When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath. (John 5:5-9) For those of us who can walk, imagine not being able to walk, ever!  Then imagine knowing that there is something that may allow you to receive the ability to walk, and you know where the remedy is, but you CAN'T get to it, after trying for years!  That's the condition Jesus finds this man in. 

We all have situations in our lives that we CAN'T FIX!  We have tried everything we know to do to fix it, but it doesn't change.  Just like this man, Jesus is asking each of us “Do you want to be made well?” Whether our physical condition changes or not, our spiritual condition can be healed.  As the Apostle Paul testified, even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.  Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” (II Corinthians 12:7-9 NLT)  God knows us better than ourselves, and sometime we don't receive some of the things we want because He knows we can become proud. But He knows those of us who will not become self-centered and boastful, and The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly. (Psalm 84:11)

Yet again, Jesus does a miracle that can't be explained as anything other than a miracle, no medicine, surgery, touching, just speaking The Word!  How do you think the Jewish religious leaders responded? The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.”  He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’” Then they asked him, “Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath. (John 5:10-16)

Most of us are familiar with the term Sabbath Day. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. (Genesis 2:2-3) God also gave the children of Isreal instructions regarding the Sabbath Day in the Ten Commandments: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: ... For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. (Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 5:12-15)  The Jews took this very seriously and still do today.  We will study in an upcoming lesson that Jesus explained, And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. (Mark 2:27) God's whole purpose in establishing a Sabbath Day, a day of rest is so that we would rest!  It doesn't matter what day it is, just as long as we have a day for our bodies to rest.  Thank God for being so concerned with our physical well-being, along with our spiritual well-being!

As always, Jesus shows us how to Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. (Colossians 4:6) But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.” (John 5:17) If somone needs help, it doesn't matter what day of the week it is, HELP!  We can't get so comfortable in our own little world and daily rituals that we can't take a detour that may put us in a situation where we have to go outside of our comfort zone and actually demonstrate that we are Christians. What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?  [yes, but...] If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.  Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?  Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.(James 2:14-17, 21-24) We can call ourselves whatever we want, but one day we're going to actually have to do some things to prove it, even if it's on the Sabbath Day!

Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. (John 5:18-23) In other words, Jesus said [or is saying] to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6) Need more proof?  Let the study continue...