My son, if you receive my sayings and store up my teachings within you, make your ear open to wisdom. Turn your heart to understanding. If you cry out to know right from wrong, and lift your voice for understanding; if you look for her as silver, and look for her as hidden riches; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find what is known of God. For the Lord gives wisdom. (Proverbs 2:1-6 NLV)
When Jesus taught the parable about buried treasure, He said, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field." (Matthew 13:44; see THE GOSPEL: Parables of Different Treasures) Finding Wisdom, understanding the fear of the Lord and knowning God, is like finding that hidden treasure, which leads us to sells all that we have. When we finally find the answer to the question we all ask, "is God real?"; and when Wisdom reveals to us that the answer is "YES!", then just like finding a "hidden treasure", we have joy over it! King David said about when we find this "great treasure", a relationship with God the Creator, we'll be moved to Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, Who delights greatly in His commandments. (Psalm 112:1)
Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gets understanding. For it is better than getting silver and fine gold. She is worth more than stones of great worth. Nothing you can wish for compares with her. Long life is in her right hand. Riches and honor are in her left hand. Her ways are pleasing, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her. Happy are all who hold her near. The Lord built the earth by wisdom. He built the heavens by understanding. By what He knows, the seas were broken up and water falls from the sky. (Proverbs 3:13-20 NLV)
King Solomon, whom God used to write the Proverbs, should understand this better than anyone. God said to Solomon, “You have not asked for riches, much money, or honor, or the life of those who hate you. And you have not asked for a long life for yourself. But you have asked for wisdom and much understanding, ... Because this was in your heart, wisdom and much understanding have been given to you. And I will give you riches and much money and honor. You will have more than all the kings who were before you, and more than all who will come after you.” (II Chronicles 1:11-12 NLV) We want to enjoy all the wonderful things this world has to offer, and God desires to ...give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4) But He can't entrust His possessions in our care if we're not wise enough to handle them the right way. And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household,... (Luke 12:42)
Much learning and understanding come from His mouth. He stores up perfect wisdom for those who are right with Him. He is a safe-covering to those who are right in their walk. He watches over the right way, and He keeps safe the way of those who belong to Him. Then you will understand what is right and good, and right from wrong, and you will know what you should do. For wisdom will come into your heart. And much learning will be pleasing to your soul. Good thinking will keep you safe. Understanding will watch over you. (Proverbs 2:6-11 NLV)
Before we entered into a relationship with God and were exposed to His Word, we didn't truly know right from wrong. As the Apostle Paul explains, "I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” (Romans 7:7) But God wants us to have wisdom, to ...come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ! (Ephesians 4:13-15)
You will be kept from the sinful man, and from the man who causes much trouble by what he says. (Proverbs 2:12 NLV) So you will find favor and good understanding in the eyes of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not trust in your own understanding. Agree with Him in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord and turn away from what is sinful. It will be healing to your body and medicine to your bones. (Proverbs 3:4-8 NLV) When we have Wisdom, no longer will we be tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, but we'll be able to ...discern between the righteous and the wicked, Between one who serves God And one who does not serve Him. (Micah 3:18) Do not let anyone fool you. Bad people can make those who want to live good become bad. (I Corinthians 15:33 NLV)
My son, do not allow them to leave your eyes. Keep perfect wisdom and careful thinking. And they will be life to your soul and a chain of beauty to your neck. (Proverbs 3:21-22 NLV) God's wisdom, which also creates in us a sound mind, is all we need to not only live, but to live life to the full. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2:8-10)
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
WISDOM (Proverbs): True Wisdom Comes from God!
The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding, To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgment, and equity; To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion— A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, To understand a proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother; For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck. (Proverbs 1:1-9)
We've been studying the gospel of Christ Jesus, and we reached the point in our last study where From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:66-68; see THE GOSPEL: Flesh & Blood, Really) A multitude of people had been following Jesus and witnessing, along with benefitting from His miracles. But they had also heard His teaching, all of them hearing the same thing. Yet, some chose to believe and follow Him, and a greater number went back and walked with Him no more. Why is this? The Apostle Paul explains it very clearly: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. (II Timothy 4:3-4)
Peter said to Jesus, "You have the words of eternal life." These are the wisest words any of us who hears the Word of God can utter. People get so caught up in this life that they often times don't think about or even realize that there is life after this life, eternal life. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Unbelievers fear the Lord; their fear of God is the fear of the judgment of God and eternal death, which is eternal separation from God. Of course, they'll never admit that, but in their choosing not to believe the Word of God, or even in God, they are saying they don't want to think about the life after this life; as a matter of fact, they'll just say there isn't anything after this, that this is all there is. Thinking that way helps them live with themselves and the choices they make; but ...the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest [made known] in them, for God has shown it to them..., so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools,... (Romans 1:18-22)
But for those of us who are believers, we've chosen the path that leads to true wisdom. The believer's fear of the Lord is reverence of God. (read ...have the fear of God) Reverence means to have a feeling of profound awe and respect and often love. We don't compare ourselves to others, but we compare ourselves to Christ Jesus, and we realize, just as John the Baptist said, “There comes One ... who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose." (Mark 1:7; Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16) Many others who believed on Christ Jesus said similar things, just like the Canaan woman, a Greek of Syro-Phoenician, whom we will study when we resume THE GOSPEL (Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30). This knowledge and acknowledgement of our true condition leads us, who are believers, to be so thankful to God, For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose him as your ransom long before the world began,... (I Peter 1:18-20 NLT) For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. (II Corinthians 5:21 NLT) For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:7-8)
We all have only two choices: 1. believe in God and the Word of God, Christ Jesus, the words of eternal life, which is wisdom; or 2. choose not to believe in God and the Word of God. This is what Wisdom says regarding the latter choice: Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square. She calls to the crowds along the main street, to those gathered in front of the city gate: “How long, you simpletons, will you insist on being simpleminded? How long will you mockers relish your mocking? How long will you fools hate knowledge? Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise. “I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered. So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you— when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster engulfs you like a cyclone, and anguish and distress overwhelm you. “When they cry for help, I will not answer. Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me. For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the Lord. They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them. Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes. For simpletons turn away from me—to death. Fools are destroyed by their own complacency. But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.” (Proverbs 1:20-33 NLT)
We've been studying the gospel of Christ Jesus, and we reached the point in our last study where From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:66-68; see THE GOSPEL: Flesh & Blood, Really) A multitude of people had been following Jesus and witnessing, along with benefitting from His miracles. But they had also heard His teaching, all of them hearing the same thing. Yet, some chose to believe and follow Him, and a greater number went back and walked with Him no more. Why is this? The Apostle Paul explains it very clearly: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. (II Timothy 4:3-4)
Peter said to Jesus, "You have the words of eternal life." These are the wisest words any of us who hears the Word of God can utter. People get so caught up in this life that they often times don't think about or even realize that there is life after this life, eternal life. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Unbelievers fear the Lord; their fear of God is the fear of the judgment of God and eternal death, which is eternal separation from God. Of course, they'll never admit that, but in their choosing not to believe the Word of God, or even in God, they are saying they don't want to think about the life after this life; as a matter of fact, they'll just say there isn't anything after this, that this is all there is. Thinking that way helps them live with themselves and the choices they make; but ...the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest [made known] in them, for God has shown it to them..., so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools,... (Romans 1:18-22)
But for those of us who are believers, we've chosen the path that leads to true wisdom. The believer's fear of the Lord is reverence of God. (read ...have the fear of God) Reverence means to have a feeling of profound awe and respect and often love. We don't compare ourselves to others, but we compare ourselves to Christ Jesus, and we realize, just as John the Baptist said, “There comes One ... who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose." (Mark 1:7; Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16) Many others who believed on Christ Jesus said similar things, just like the Canaan woman, a Greek of Syro-Phoenician, whom we will study when we resume THE GOSPEL (Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30). This knowledge and acknowledgement of our true condition leads us, who are believers, to be so thankful to God, For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose him as your ransom long before the world began,... (I Peter 1:18-20 NLT) For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. (II Corinthians 5:21 NLT) For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:7-8)
We all have only two choices: 1. believe in God and the Word of God, Christ Jesus, the words of eternal life, which is wisdom; or 2. choose not to believe in God and the Word of God. This is what Wisdom says regarding the latter choice: Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square. She calls to the crowds along the main street, to those gathered in front of the city gate: “How long, you simpletons, will you insist on being simpleminded? How long will you mockers relish your mocking? How long will you fools hate knowledge? Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise. “I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered. So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you— when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster engulfs you like a cyclone, and anguish and distress overwhelm you. “When they cry for help, I will not answer. Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me. For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the Lord. They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them. Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes. For simpletons turn away from me—to death. Fools are destroyed by their own complacency. But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.” (Proverbs 1:20-33 NLT)
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
THE GOSPEL: Traditions vs. Obedience!
Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?” (Mark 7:1-5; Matthew 15:1-2)
As we studied in the previous lesson, Jesus is teaching in a synagogue in Capernaum, and He's said something that has caused many of the people who were following Him to turn away,“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. (John 6:53-59; see THE GOSPEL: Flesh & Blood, Really) Now, like any good leader would do, the Pharisees have traveled from Jerusalem to where Jesus is, to have a word with Him about what He's doing and teaching the people. But when they get there, the first thing they do is see Jesus' disciples eating bread without washing their hands, and they go on the attack.
He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:
As we studied in the previous lesson, Jesus is teaching in a synagogue in Capernaum, and He's said something that has caused many of the people who were following Him to turn away,“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. (John 6:53-59; see THE GOSPEL: Flesh & Blood, Really) Now, like any good leader would do, the Pharisees have traveled from Jerusalem to where Jesus is, to have a word with Him about what He's doing and teaching the people. But when they get there, the first thing they do is see Jesus' disciples eating bread without washing their hands, and they go on the attack.
He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:
‘This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ [Isaiah 29:13]
But their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ [Isaiah 29:13]
For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men —the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; [Exodus 20:12; Deuteronoy 5:16] and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ [Exodus 21:17] But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban”—’ (that is, a gift to God), then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.” (Mark 7:6-13; Matthew 15:3-9)
Jesus is so good at proving the Pharisees hypocrites, without arguing, but solely by using the Word of God to reveal the truth of their hearts. Many of us can appear to be very religious and righteous, based on our actions, what people can see; but [God] knows the secrets of the heart. (Psalm 44:21) The Pharisees want to question Him about the tradition of men, but they aren't obeying the commandment of God. The commandments of God say nothing about washing hands before eating, but they say a lot about how we are to first treat God, and then how we are to treat eachother. (Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronoy 5:1-22; see Ten Commandments & Christ) Basically He's asking, what's more important, the things we do for show, or the things we do out of obedience to God? Obviously, the Pharisees had a tradition of teaching the people that if they give their parents some kind of generous gift, they were to claim that the gift came from God, and as a consequence they would no longer help their parents with their needs, but instead give to the Pharisees and the synagogue because you [Pharisees] no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother.
Jesus is clear that that kind of tradition and teaching is against God. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:1-3) The Greek word translated here as "honor" means to prize, ie. fix a valuation upon, by implication to revere. Jesus is pointing out that they "honor" their traditions and ceremonial instuments more than they "honor" their parents, that things mean more to them than relationships with people, and especially their parents. The Pharisees have lead the people astray with this specific tradition, from obeying the first commandment with promise. When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand: There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Mark 7:14-16; Matthew 15:10-11)
Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” (Matthew 15:11-14) Yet again, we have to love and appreciate how Jesus responds to hypocrites; He doesn't argue, but He also doesn't make apologies for telling the Truth! Either people will believe or they won't. If they do, and accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord, wonderful. If they don't, that's their choice and they will live with the consequences. We don't have a heaven or a hell to put ourselves, let alone anyone else in, but God does, and Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. God says, “When I choose the proper time, I will judge uprightly." (Psalm 75:2) Like Jesus taught, faith isn't something we can make anyone have. And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.” (John 6:65)
When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?” And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.” (Mark 7:17-23; Matthew 15:15-20)
Mankind has had the same problem since the beginning, You have plowed wickedness; You have reaped iniquity. You have eaten the fruit of lies, Because you trusted in your own way, In the multitude of your mighty men. (Hosea 10:13) From the time Eve chose to believe the lie of Satan over the Word of God (Genesis 3), up to now, Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Genesis 6:5) Our problem is from within, out of the heart. We, just like King David, need to acknowledge and ask God, Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)
Too many of us would rather listen to what men say and teach us, instead of what God says. God says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, ...; Because you have forgotten the law of your God,..." (Hosea 4:6) For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path. (Proverbs 2:6-9) If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!
Jesus is so good at proving the Pharisees hypocrites, without arguing, but solely by using the Word of God to reveal the truth of their hearts. Many of us can appear to be very religious and righteous, based on our actions, what people can see; but [God] knows the secrets of the heart. (Psalm 44:21) The Pharisees want to question Him about the tradition of men, but they aren't obeying the commandment of God. The commandments of God say nothing about washing hands before eating, but they say a lot about how we are to first treat God, and then how we are to treat eachother. (Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronoy 5:1-22; see Ten Commandments & Christ) Basically He's asking, what's more important, the things we do for show, or the things we do out of obedience to God? Obviously, the Pharisees had a tradition of teaching the people that if they give their parents some kind of generous gift, they were to claim that the gift came from God, and as a consequence they would no longer help their parents with their needs, but instead give to the Pharisees and the synagogue because you [Pharisees] no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother.
Jesus is clear that that kind of tradition and teaching is against God. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:1-3) The Greek word translated here as "honor" means to prize, ie. fix a valuation upon, by implication to revere. Jesus is pointing out that they "honor" their traditions and ceremonial instuments more than they "honor" their parents, that things mean more to them than relationships with people, and especially their parents. The Pharisees have lead the people astray with this specific tradition, from obeying the first commandment with promise. When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand: There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Mark 7:14-16; Matthew 15:10-11)
Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” (Matthew 15:11-14) Yet again, we have to love and appreciate how Jesus responds to hypocrites; He doesn't argue, but He also doesn't make apologies for telling the Truth! Either people will believe or they won't. If they do, and accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord, wonderful. If they don't, that's their choice and they will live with the consequences. We don't have a heaven or a hell to put ourselves, let alone anyone else in, but God does, and Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. God says, “When I choose the proper time, I will judge uprightly." (Psalm 75:2) Like Jesus taught, faith isn't something we can make anyone have. And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.” (John 6:65)
When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?” And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.” (Mark 7:17-23; Matthew 15:15-20)
Mankind has had the same problem since the beginning, You have plowed wickedness; You have reaped iniquity. You have eaten the fruit of lies, Because you trusted in your own way, In the multitude of your mighty men. (Hosea 10:13) From the time Eve chose to believe the lie of Satan over the Word of God (Genesis 3), up to now, Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Genesis 6:5) Our problem is from within, out of the heart. We, just like King David, need to acknowledge and ask God, Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)
Too many of us would rather listen to what men say and teach us, instead of what God says. God says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, ...; Because you have forgotten the law of your God,..." (Hosea 4:6) For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path. (Proverbs 2:6-9) If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!
Monday, February 25, 2013
THE GOSPEL: Flesh & Blood, Really?
The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?” (John 6:52)
Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.” These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum. (John 6:53-59) Jesus did not mean for us to become cannibals, which we now understand, but hearing this didn't make sense to them. As we've studied previously, Jesus explained, Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. (Matthew 13:13; see THE GOSPEL: Jesus Teaches in Parables! Why?)
Jesus had just made clear that the ultimate purpose for God sending Him was for Him to be the final sacrifice for sin. (see THE GOSPEL: Can We Handle the Truth) When He says eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, He's saying that if we want to be saved and have an eternal relationship with God the Father, we have to accept Him and His sacrifice. There are no other ways or alternatives. All paths do not lead to God; only believing the Word of God, in Christ Jesus does! Jesus is also the fulfillment of the Levitical commandment regarding tresspass and peace offerings. An offering was made by the priests on behalf of the people for their trespasses and sins, and also to reconile and restore peace between them and God, which is exactly what Christ does for us. Those sacrifices, Every male among the priests may eat it. It shall be eaten in a holy place. It is most holy. The trespass offering is like the sin offering; there is one law for them both: the priest who makes atonement with it shall have it. The flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offering for thanksgiving shall be eaten the same day it is offered. He shall not leave any of it until morning. Moreover you shall not eat any blood in any of your dwellings, whether of bird or beast. Whoever eats any blood, that person shall be cut off from his people. (Leviticus 7:6-7, 15, 26-27)
Levitical law required the eating of the flesh of the sacrifice but not drinking the blood. For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.(Hebrews 10:1, 4; see HEBREWS: The Perfect Sacrifice, pt2 ) Only the blood of Jesus would be able to take away sins. Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you? What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.” (John 6:60-65)
Well, this is the point in Jesus' ministry where, as the old saying goes, "the rubber meets the road". We must remember, These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum. He's speaking to devout Jews and Jewish religious leaders. And basically He's telling them everything they've been taught to do and had been doing for nearly 2,000 years will be fulfilled by His death. We all know some people, and maybe we ourselves are this way, where we're more interested in acting religious than actually making sure we're righteous, right with God. From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve. (John 6:66-71) After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. (John 7:1)
Let's proclaim, just like Peter did, Lord, to whom shall we go? ... You are the Christ, the Son of the living God! Choose to accept Christ Jesus' free gift of salvation today; Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day!
Friday, February 22, 2013
THE GOSPEL: Can We Handle The Truth?
The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.” And they said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” Jesus therefore answered and said to them, “Do not murmur among yourselves. (John 6:41-43)
As we studied in a previous lesson, and we will also study in a future lesson, the people who knew Joseph and Mary judged them harshly, because they thought either Joseph and Mary had had sex before they were married or Mary had been with someone else before Jospeh. As the old saying goes, they did the math and it didn't add up. Jesus finally explained this when He was around twelve years old and at the temple talking with the religious leaders, that He was the Son of God. (see Christ Childhood, the Missing Years) Well, obviously the majority still didn't believe Him, and thought He was crazy for even saying such a thing, regardless of all the miracles He had performed, and regardless of God Himself speaking from Heaven at His baptism, saying, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11; Matthew 3:17; Luke 3:22; see THE GOSPEL: Rejected by His Own; THE GOSPEL: Indisputable Witnesses)
Jesus goes on to explain, No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” (John 6:44-51)
Two important things Jesus clarifies: 1. He [God] chose us in Him [Christ Jesus] before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. (Ephesians 1:4-6) Who is us? They shall all be taught by God. Every single human being on the planet had, has and will have the opportunity to hear and believe the Word of God, God promises so, and He doesn't need man's help to get it done! (I Peter 4:1-6; see Predestined, not Predetermined) But why aren't all people saved? We can't just hear The Truth, but we have to believe it also. (Romans 10:14-21; see THE GOSPEL: First Parable, the Sower) Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. Jesus stands at the "door of everyone's heart, knocking", if we "come to the door and let Him in", we will be saved. (Revelations 3:20)
2. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world. Jesus is clarifying God's purpose for sending Him: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:16-17) He came to be the final sacrifice for sin. Most of us are not Jewish, so we may not understand all the Levitical requirements of sacrifices for sin, but the Jews He was talking to did. (Leviticus)
God required some outward showing of denial as a way of asking for forgiveness for committing sins, indulging in our ungodly desires, so the Jews had to make specific sacrifices for specific sins. These sacrifices had a cost and a commitment of time and energy. Jesus is saying all of those requirements are being fulfilled through Him being the final sacrifice. All we have to do is accepts Him as our Savior and Lord, put all of our hope, trust and faith in Him. Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. (Romans 5:1-2, 6, 10)
So, the Truth is, if we want to be saved, ...the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down from above) or, “‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith...): that 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 there is no distinction between Jew and [non-Jew], 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 10:6-13)
Believing? Confessing? OK! But If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh... Eating Christ Jesus flesh? What does He mean?...
As we studied in a previous lesson, and we will also study in a future lesson, the people who knew Joseph and Mary judged them harshly, because they thought either Joseph and Mary had had sex before they were married or Mary had been with someone else before Jospeh. As the old saying goes, they did the math and it didn't add up. Jesus finally explained this when He was around twelve years old and at the temple talking with the religious leaders, that He was the Son of God. (see Christ Childhood, the Missing Years) Well, obviously the majority still didn't believe Him, and thought He was crazy for even saying such a thing, regardless of all the miracles He had performed, and regardless of God Himself speaking from Heaven at His baptism, saying, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11; Matthew 3:17; Luke 3:22; see THE GOSPEL: Rejected by His Own; THE GOSPEL: Indisputable Witnesses)
Jesus goes on to explain, No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” (John 6:44-51)
Two important things Jesus clarifies: 1. He [God] chose us in Him [Christ Jesus] before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. (Ephesians 1:4-6) Who is us? They shall all be taught by God. Every single human being on the planet had, has and will have the opportunity to hear and believe the Word of God, God promises so, and He doesn't need man's help to get it done! (I Peter 4:1-6; see Predestined, not Predetermined) But why aren't all people saved? We can't just hear The Truth, but we have to believe it also. (Romans 10:14-21; see THE GOSPEL: First Parable, the Sower) Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. Jesus stands at the "door of everyone's heart, knocking", if we "come to the door and let Him in", we will be saved. (Revelations 3:20)
2. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world. Jesus is clarifying God's purpose for sending Him: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:16-17) He came to be the final sacrifice for sin. Most of us are not Jewish, so we may not understand all the Levitical requirements of sacrifices for sin, but the Jews He was talking to did. (Leviticus)
God required some outward showing of denial as a way of asking for forgiveness for committing sins, indulging in our ungodly desires, so the Jews had to make specific sacrifices for specific sins. These sacrifices had a cost and a commitment of time and energy. Jesus is saying all of those requirements are being fulfilled through Him being the final sacrifice. All we have to do is accepts Him as our Savior and Lord, put all of our hope, trust and faith in Him. Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. (Romans 5:1-2, 6, 10)
So, the Truth is, if we want to be saved, ...the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down from above) or, “‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith...): that 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 there is no distinction between Jew and [non-Jew], 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 10:6-13)
Believing? Confessing? OK! But If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh... Eating Christ Jesus flesh? What does He mean?...
Thursday, February 21, 2013
THE GOSPEL: What Do We Really Want?
When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there. And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was. Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well. (Mark 6:53-56; Matthew 14:34-36)
Jesus and the disciples had just left Tiberias, and traveled across the sea to Capernaum. While in Tiberias, Jesus had fed over 5,000 people with two fish and five loaves of bread. (see THE GOSPEL: Two Fish, Five Loaves, 5,000 People) After sending the multitude of people and the disciples away, Jesus walked on the water and joined the disciples in the boat to Capernaum. (see THE GOSPEL: Walk On Water, With Jesus, Yes) As soon as they arrived on the other side of the sea, the people started coming, and asking for Him to heal anybody, everybody, that they might just touch the hem of His garment, and He did. But the people who had been with Him on the other side came looking for Him the next day: On the following day, when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except that one which His disciples had entered, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but His disciples had gone away alone— however, other boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks— when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. (John 6:22-24)
And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You come here?” Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” (John 6:25-27) We may think to ourselves that the people traveled across the sea to find Jesus because they really wanted to be around Him and continue hearing what He had to say about the kingdom of heaven, but we must remember that God ...knows the secrets of the heart. (Psalm 44:21) Jesus tells them plainly that the only reason they followed Him is because He fed them the loaves and were filled. Surely they had had food before Jesus came to their region, but that fish and bread must have been the best they ever had, for them to travel all the way across the sea for more. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance. (Isaiah 55:2)
How many of us, just like them, travel or go all over the place, looking for something or someone that will fill a desire or craving we have, only to find once we get what we thought we wanted, that the satisfaction doesn't last? That we have to keep going, looking, seeking, finding, something or someone better each time, but it's never enough? Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him. Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” Therefore they said to Him, “What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do? Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” [Exodus 16-17:7; Psalm 105:40-42] Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” (John 6:28-33)
“Oh, that My people would listen to Me, [and] would walk in My ways! He would have fed them also with the finest of wheat; And with honey from the rock [Christ] I would have satisfied you.” (Psalm 81: 13, 16) These people just experienced being one of over 5,000 people being miraculously fed by Jesus with two fish and five loaves of bread. Now they're asking Jesus, What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do? What??? But aren't we the same way? We've been blessed beyond measure! If we take the time to evaluate our lives and see where we started and where we are, even if we have had or are having difficulties, we can remember a time when things were difficult in our past, and there could be no other explanation for us overcoming those times other than I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. (Psalm 40:1-2) For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness. (Psalm 107:9)
God commanded us, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ... For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:25, 31-33; see THE GOSPEL: God and His Kingdom First) God is our Heavenly Father, Abba Father, and He will take care of us, if we do the work; “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” (see HEBREWS: Abba, Father will Fix All) Let's stop looking for things and people to satisfy our needs and desires and stop looking for things to fill the voids in our lives. All of us are "hungry"; Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! (Psalm 34:8)
Then they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.” And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:34-40) Although we haven't' seen Jesus with our physical eyes, we have "seen" Him, through the Word of God. Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)
What do we really want? Do we want our needs provided for? (Philippians 4:19) Do we want our desires satisfied? (Psalm 37:4) Whether things are good for us here or not, do we one day hope to be with The Father and The Son in the new heaven and the new earth? (Revelations 21:1-4) Then the first thing we HAVE to do is that you believe in Christ Jesus whom God sent! Through our faith in Christ Jesus, we will have access to ALL the wonderful promises of God, as recorded in the scriptures. Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst! If we really want to be blessed by God, then we have to understand more clearly Who this "bread of life" is...
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
THE GOSPEL: Walk on Water? With Jesus, Yes!
Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side [toward Capernaum*, to Bethsaida*], while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. (Matthew 14:22-23; Mark 6:45-46*; John 6:16-17*)
In our previous study, Jesus miraculously fed over 5,000 people with two fish and five loaves of bread. (see THE GOSPEL: Two Fish, Five Loaves, 5,000 People) Now He's sending everyone away, even the disciples, so that He can have private time with God the Father, in prayer. This is a good habit we should also practice, praying in private. (see THE GOSPEL: Establish a Prayer Life) But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. [Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.*] Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” (Matthew 14:24-27; Mark 6:47-50*; John 6:18-20) At this point, nothing Jesus does should surprise us anymore! He's performed so many miracles, that we should be convinced beyond any doubt that He is the Son of God; Let heaven and earth praise Him, The seas and everything that moves in them. (Psalm 69:34)
The question we need to ask ourselves is what are we now able to do, because of our belief in Christ Jesus? And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:28-31) Through our belief in God, faith in Christ Jesus, and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13) - even walk on water, in the midst of boiserous winds, the distractions and temptations of this world! No matter what challenges life presents us, ...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,... (Hebrews 12:1-2)
But, just like Peter, if we become distracted by the boisterous winds and take our "eyes" off of Christ, let's pray that we'll have enough sense about us to cry out to God, “Lord, save me!” Not only will God save us, but He will also take us safely to the place He has prepared for us. And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:32-33; Mark 6:51) And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened. (Mark 6:51-52) After all the miracles the disciples had been eye witness to, even the feeding of the multitude, they still had their doubts, just like many of us do. As Jesus will explain to some unbelievers in a future lesson, it applies here also: "If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” (John 10:37-38) Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going. (John 6:21)
In our previous study, Jesus miraculously fed over 5,000 people with two fish and five loaves of bread. (see THE GOSPEL: Two Fish, Five Loaves, 5,000 People) Now He's sending everyone away, even the disciples, so that He can have private time with God the Father, in prayer. This is a good habit we should also practice, praying in private. (see THE GOSPEL: Establish a Prayer Life) But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. [Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.*] Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” (Matthew 14:24-27; Mark 6:47-50*; John 6:18-20) At this point, nothing Jesus does should surprise us anymore! He's performed so many miracles, that we should be convinced beyond any doubt that He is the Son of God; Let heaven and earth praise Him, The seas and everything that moves in them. (Psalm 69:34)
The question we need to ask ourselves is what are we now able to do, because of our belief in Christ Jesus? And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:28-31) Through our belief in God, faith in Christ Jesus, and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13) - even walk on water, in the midst of boiserous winds, the distractions and temptations of this world! No matter what challenges life presents us, ...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,... (Hebrews 12:1-2)
But, just like Peter, if we become distracted by the boisterous winds and take our "eyes" off of Christ, let's pray that we'll have enough sense about us to cry out to God, “Lord, save me!” Not only will God save us, but He will also take us safely to the place He has prepared for us. And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:32-33; Mark 6:51) And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened. (Mark 6:51-52) After all the miracles the disciples had been eye witness to, even the feeding of the multitude, they still had their doubts, just like many of us do. As Jesus will explain to some unbelievers in a future lesson, it applies here also: "If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” (John 10:37-38) Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going. (John 6:21)
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
THE GOSPEL: Two Fish, Five Loaves, 5,000 People?
When Jesus heard [of John the Baptist beheading by Herod], He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. (Matthew 14:13) After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias [the new capital of Galilee and Peraea, on the east bank of the Jordan, by Herod the tetrarch] . (John 6:1) Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place [belonging to the city called Bethsaida*] and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves. (Mark 6:30-32; Luke 9:10*)
In our previous study, we learned that Herod was a Roman ruler of a certain region of Isreal, around Galilee and Peraea. He had done some things that John the Baptist testified to him were against God, namely marrying his brother's ex-wife. Because of this, Herod's wife, Herodias desired and eventually was able to trick her husband into killing John, by beheading him. (see THE GOSPEL: Herod, Herodias & John) After hearing about Jesus and knowing he could not be John the Baptist, Herod desired to have a meeting with Him. (Luke 9:7-9) Well, Jesus has arrived in his territory, but the meeting does not take place, yet. We've also studied that Jesus sent the disciples out in pairs, throughout the cities and villages in the region, and empowered them to teach about the kingdom of heaven and do the same miracles He had done. (see THE GOSPEL: Price of Being a Follower of Christ) Now they have returned and are sharing everything that has happened, but there are so many people following Jesus and them, that they can't get any rest and they did not even have time to eat. So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.
Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased. And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples. (John 6:2-3) But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things [and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God*]. (Mark 6:33-34; Matthew 14:13; Luke 9:11*) And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. (Matthew 14:14) Imagine how tired Jesus and the disciples must have been. We get tired from helping a few people every once-in-a-while. Jesus and the disciples are helping thousands of people everyday, and the crowd keeps growing and growing as the word spreads about the miracles being performed.
Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near. Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do. Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.” (John 6:4-7) When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.” But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” (Matthew 14:15-16; Mark 6:35-37; Luke 9:12-13) All four Gospels record this miracle, but John adds Philip's comment that even if they had money to go buy food for the multitude of people, they wouldn't be able to buy enough bread.
Just how many people are there? One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?” Then Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand [besides women and children*]. (John 6:8-10; Matthew 14:17-19; Mark 6:38-40; Luke 913-15) 5,000 men, add women and children, and there could have realistically been nearly 10,000 people there! How is He going to feed that many people with only two fish and five loaves of bread??? We've studied so many different miracles that Jesus had performed. Most miraculous has to be raising people from the dead. (see THE GOSPEL: From Death to Life, Through Faith; THE GOSPEL: Life More Than Flesh) So why is it so hard to believe He could feed so many people with so little food?
And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.” Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” (John 6:11-14; Matthew 14:19-21; Mark 6:41-44; Luke 9:16-17) Note, before Jesus did anything with the food, He blessed it by giving thanks to God for it. Mark recorded it as He looked up to heaven, blessed. Whenever we are able to have food to eat, we should do the same, For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. (I Timothy 4:4-5)
God had promised Jacob (aka Isreal) that of his twelve sons, through Judah's geneology, the Messiah would come, and The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh [the Messiah] come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. (Genesis 49:10 KJV) Moses reiterated that to the people, when God spoke by him to the people, saying, And the Lord said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken. I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. (Deuteronomy 18:17-18 KJV) The children of Isreal had been in and out of captivity ever since being in Egypt. God had made great promises to them and their forefathers about a Messiah who would come and ...redeemed His people. (Luke 1:67-80) Now, they are under Roman captivity, so surely, they thought, Jesus is the One God had promised would come. Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone. (John 6:15)
In our previous study, we learned that Herod was a Roman ruler of a certain region of Isreal, around Galilee and Peraea. He had done some things that John the Baptist testified to him were against God, namely marrying his brother's ex-wife. Because of this, Herod's wife, Herodias desired and eventually was able to trick her husband into killing John, by beheading him. (see THE GOSPEL: Herod, Herodias & John) After hearing about Jesus and knowing he could not be John the Baptist, Herod desired to have a meeting with Him. (Luke 9:7-9) Well, Jesus has arrived in his territory, but the meeting does not take place, yet. We've also studied that Jesus sent the disciples out in pairs, throughout the cities and villages in the region, and empowered them to teach about the kingdom of heaven and do the same miracles He had done. (see THE GOSPEL: Price of Being a Follower of Christ) Now they have returned and are sharing everything that has happened, but there are so many people following Jesus and them, that they can't get any rest and they did not even have time to eat. So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.
Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased. And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples. (John 6:2-3) But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things [and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God*]. (Mark 6:33-34; Matthew 14:13; Luke 9:11*) And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. (Matthew 14:14) Imagine how tired Jesus and the disciples must have been. We get tired from helping a few people every once-in-a-while. Jesus and the disciples are helping thousands of people everyday, and the crowd keeps growing and growing as the word spreads about the miracles being performed.
Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near. Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do. Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.” (John 6:4-7) When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.” But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” (Matthew 14:15-16; Mark 6:35-37; Luke 9:12-13) All four Gospels record this miracle, but John adds Philip's comment that even if they had money to go buy food for the multitude of people, they wouldn't be able to buy enough bread.
Just how many people are there? One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?” Then Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand [besides women and children*]. (John 6:8-10; Matthew 14:17-19; Mark 6:38-40; Luke 913-15) 5,000 men, add women and children, and there could have realistically been nearly 10,000 people there! How is He going to feed that many people with only two fish and five loaves of bread??? We've studied so many different miracles that Jesus had performed. Most miraculous has to be raising people from the dead. (see THE GOSPEL: From Death to Life, Through Faith; THE GOSPEL: Life More Than Flesh) So why is it so hard to believe He could feed so many people with so little food?
And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.” Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” (John 6:11-14; Matthew 14:19-21; Mark 6:41-44; Luke 9:16-17) Note, before Jesus did anything with the food, He blessed it by giving thanks to God for it. Mark recorded it as He looked up to heaven, blessed. Whenever we are able to have food to eat, we should do the same, For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. (I Timothy 4:4-5)
God had promised Jacob (aka Isreal) that of his twelve sons, through Judah's geneology, the Messiah would come, and The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh [the Messiah] come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. (Genesis 49:10 KJV) Moses reiterated that to the people, when God spoke by him to the people, saying, And the Lord said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken. I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. (Deuteronomy 18:17-18 KJV) The children of Isreal had been in and out of captivity ever since being in Egypt. God had made great promises to them and their forefathers about a Messiah who would come and ...redeemed His people. (Luke 1:67-80) Now, they are under Roman captivity, so surely, they thought, Jesus is the One God had promised would come. Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone. (John 6:15)
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