“A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. (John 14:19-20)
Sounds like a riddle, but it's not. In the previous study, we concluded that we who are saved can say, just as Jesus did, I am in the Father, and the Father in Me! Jesus is not here in flesh, but He is here in our flesh; He has not left us orphans. (see THE GOSPEL: The Most Reassuring Promise) How? At this point in our study, Jesus was telling the disciples that at that day, the day of His crucifixion, He would leave them, but then He would return briefly, and they would see Him. We now know that He was talking about His resurrection; therefore, because He live, we will live also. After His resurrection would be His ascension back to the Father; then shortly afterwards, He explained, "...I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth." (John 14:16)
He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me. (John 14:21-24) Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. (I John 3:24)
Let this be clear to all of us, that we can't just say we're Christians; we also have to live like we're Christians! “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38) “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 “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 19:8-10, 13)
If we are sure that we are saved, then we will love Christ Jesus; and “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him." Our love for Him will cause us to live for Him, by keeping His commandments, which He has empowered us to do by giving us another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, who is the manifestation of Christ to us and in us, He and the Father coming to us and making Their home with us.
“These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:25-27) Jesus told the disciples and us who are saved these things before hand, so that when He was gone from this earth physically, our hearts would not be troubled, neither let it be afraid, but that we would have Peace! The peace of knowing that no matter what happens to us in this life, Christ is in the Father, and we are in Christ, and Christ is in us, through the Helper- the Holy Spirit!
The Holy Spirit is a person of the Trinity: God the Father; Christ Jesus (the Word of God in the flesh)- Lord God the Son; and the Holy Spirit our Helper; ...and these three are One. (I John 5:7) The Holy Spirit teaches us all things, and bring to our remembrance all things that Christ said, from the scriptures. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15 KJV) In order for the Holy Spirit to teach us and bring to our remembrance, we have to put the Word in us, we have to study. That's how the word is near us, in our mouth and in our heart!" That's how we have His commandments and keep them! That's how we prove that we loves Him!
After reassuring the disciples and us Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid, He concluded by saying, You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I. “And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe. (John 14:28-29) AMEN!
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
THE GOSPEL: The Most Reassuring Promise!
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. (John 14:1)
Jesus had been preparing the disciples for His departure by repeatedly explaining to them what was going to happen to Him in Jerusalem. But now, He was going to explain to them how He and the Father were going to take care of them and all of us who are saved, until He returns. Let not your heart be troubled! "In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:2-6)
Jesus said, "In My Father’s house are many mansions." House singular, but many mansions, or many houses within it. Remember, God is Spirit... (John 4:24) When David sang about the knowledge of God, he made very clear that God is everywhere: Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. (Psalm 139:7-8) ...for in Him we live and move and have our being,... (Acts 17:28) The point is ALL is God's house, what we do see and what we can't see, and He has room for every single one of us who are saved, the millions before us and the millions who will accept Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord after us. But Christ Jesus, the Word of God in the flesh, is the ONLY way we will make it to the mansions, a place prepared by Christ for us. For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (II Corinthians 5:1)
“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? (John 14:7-9) For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word [Christ, John 1:1-18], and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. (I John 5:7) Now Jesus was finally explaining to the disciples and us the "Trinity". The actual word is not used in the scripture, but these three are one!
Remember at Christ Jesus baptism, ...it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form [gracefully] like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:21-22) The Holy Spirit, from God the Father, descended upon Jesus, and these three are one. Jesus was explaining that the Holy Spirit of God was in Him, "I am in the Father, and the Father in Me"; therefore, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father." No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. (John 1:18)
Through Christ, God has revealed Himself to the world. How? Jesus goes on to explain, "The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. If you love Me, keep My commandments. (John 14:10-15) Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. (I John 5:14-15)
This is SO POWERFUL, for us who are believers! Jesus was saying that just as He is in the Father and the Father in Him, who dwells in Him does the works, we who are saved will have that same unity of Spirit with God and he who believes in Christ, the works that He did we will do also; and greater works than these we will do! We will be able to do great works than Christ did? YES! That's what He said. How? This verse gets taken out of context too often, but when put in the context of the scripture, because we are saved and have unity of Spirit with God, whatever we ask in Christ name, that He will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If we ask anything in Christ name, He will do it, so that we can do the works that Christ did also, and greater works than Christ did we will do! But we HAVE to love Him, keep His commandments, and ask anything according to His will!
So how do we get this same unity of Spirit with God that Christ had, which will enable us to do all these greater works? The same way Christ did. Jesus went on to make the most reassuring promise ever: “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. (John 14:16-18) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,... In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:3, 13-14)
What a gift from God! To fill us who are saved with His Holy Spirit, to be in us just as He was in Christ Jesus. During creation, ...the Spirit of God was... Then God said, “Let there be..." (Genesis 1:1-25) But when He got to mankind, Then God said, “Let Us [God and Lord God, Genesis 2] make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion... (Genesis 1:26-31) How much clearer now it should be to us when Jesus said, “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? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you,...?(Matthew 6:25-30) Let not your heart be troubled!
Now we can boldly and accurately say, just as Jesus did, I am in the Father, and the Father in Me! What an AWESOME and humbling gift! Nothing else and no one else in creation can make that claim, but only those of us who are saved! Yes, Jesus is not here in flesh, but He is here in our flesh; He has not left us orphans, and He has greater works for us to do, until He comes to us, filling us with His Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth. There's so much more Jesus is going to explain to us about this new relationship we have...
Jesus had been preparing the disciples for His departure by repeatedly explaining to them what was going to happen to Him in Jerusalem. But now, He was going to explain to them how He and the Father were going to take care of them and all of us who are saved, until He returns. Let not your heart be troubled! "In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:2-6)
Jesus said, "In My Father’s house are many mansions." House singular, but many mansions, or many houses within it. Remember, God is Spirit... (John 4:24) When David sang about the knowledge of God, he made very clear that God is everywhere: Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. (Psalm 139:7-8) ...for in Him we live and move and have our being,... (Acts 17:28) The point is ALL is God's house, what we do see and what we can't see, and He has room for every single one of us who are saved, the millions before us and the millions who will accept Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord after us. But Christ Jesus, the Word of God in the flesh, is the ONLY way we will make it to the mansions, a place prepared by Christ for us. For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (II Corinthians 5:1)
“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? (John 14:7-9) For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word [Christ, John 1:1-18], and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. (I John 5:7) Now Jesus was finally explaining to the disciples and us the "Trinity". The actual word is not used in the scripture, but these three are one!
Remember at Christ Jesus baptism, ...it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form [gracefully] like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:21-22) The Holy Spirit, from God the Father, descended upon Jesus, and these three are one. Jesus was explaining that the Holy Spirit of God was in Him, "I am in the Father, and the Father in Me"; therefore, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father." No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. (John 1:18)
Through Christ, God has revealed Himself to the world. How? Jesus goes on to explain, "The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. If you love Me, keep My commandments. (John 14:10-15) Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. (I John 5:14-15)
This is SO POWERFUL, for us who are believers! Jesus was saying that just as He is in the Father and the Father in Him, who dwells in Him does the works, we who are saved will have that same unity of Spirit with God and he who believes in Christ, the works that He did we will do also; and greater works than these we will do! We will be able to do great works than Christ did? YES! That's what He said. How? This verse gets taken out of context too often, but when put in the context of the scripture, because we are saved and have unity of Spirit with God, whatever we ask in Christ name, that He will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If we ask anything in Christ name, He will do it, so that we can do the works that Christ did also, and greater works than Christ did we will do! But we HAVE to love Him, keep His commandments, and ask anything according to His will!
So how do we get this same unity of Spirit with God that Christ had, which will enable us to do all these greater works? The same way Christ did. Jesus went on to make the most reassuring promise ever: “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. (John 14:16-18) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,... In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:3, 13-14)
What a gift from God! To fill us who are saved with His Holy Spirit, to be in us just as He was in Christ Jesus. During creation, ...the Spirit of God was... Then God said, “Let there be..." (Genesis 1:1-25) But when He got to mankind, Then God said, “Let Us [God and Lord God, Genesis 2] make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion... (Genesis 1:26-31) How much clearer now it should be to us when Jesus said, “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? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you,...?(Matthew 6:25-30) Let not your heart be troubled!
Now we can boldly and accurately say, just as Jesus did, I am in the Father, and the Father in Me! What an AWESOME and humbling gift! Nothing else and no one else in creation can make that claim, but only those of us who are saved! Yes, Jesus is not here in flesh, but He is here in our flesh; He has not left us orphans, and He has greater works for us to do, until He comes to us, filling us with His Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth. There's so much more Jesus is going to explain to us about this new relationship we have...
Monday, July 29, 2013
THE GOSPEL: The Lord's Supper, Flesh and Blood!
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” (Matthew 26:26; Mark 14:22; Luke 22:19) ...which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” (Luke 22:19) Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (Matthew 26:27-28; Mark 14:23-24; Luke 22:17, 20)
We studied previously when Jesus told the Jews, while He was teaching at the synagogue in Capernaum, "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 6:48-51; see THE GOSPEL: Can We Handle The Truth) 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." (John 6:53-54; see THE GOSPEL: Flesh & Blood, Really)
Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” ... From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. (John 6:60, 66) At that time, the twelve remained. Now one of them, Judas Iscariot has left also. (see THE GOSPEL: Plan Put in Motion; Choose the Better Plan) But the Jews were accurate when they said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” They couldn't understand it, because they didn't have "ears to hear"! Jesus explained, "...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 6:63-65)
The disciples didn't fully understand what Jesus meant either, up until this moment, during their last supper with Christ. He was establishing the new covenant. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant... In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. (Hebrews 8:7-8, 13; see HEBREWS: The New Covenant)
But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. ... how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. (Hebrews 9:11-15; see HEBREWS: The Perfect Sacrifice)
This is why we continue this tradition today, For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. (I Corinthians 11:23-26) We are to continue this memorial for Christ's death for our sins; but Jesus went on to tell the disciples, "But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” (Matthew 26:29; Mark 14:25; Luke 22:18)
What a promise for Christ to make, and a promise He will keep! Yet again, He was reassuring the disciples that He was leaving, but He will be with them and all of us who believe again, in the ...new heaven and a new earth... (Revelations 21:1) Until that day comes, when we are united with Him in His Father’s kingdom, He has a few more promises for us to stand upon, which we will study in the next several lessons... (John 14-17)
We studied previously when Jesus told the Jews, while He was teaching at the synagogue in Capernaum, "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 6:48-51; see THE GOSPEL: Can We Handle The Truth) 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." (John 6:53-54; see THE GOSPEL: Flesh & Blood, Really)
Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” ... From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. (John 6:60, 66) At that time, the twelve remained. Now one of them, Judas Iscariot has left also. (see THE GOSPEL: Plan Put in Motion; Choose the Better Plan) But the Jews were accurate when they said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” They couldn't understand it, because they didn't have "ears to hear"! Jesus explained, "...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 6:63-65)
The disciples didn't fully understand what Jesus meant either, up until this moment, during their last supper with Christ. He was establishing the new covenant. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant... In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. (Hebrews 8:7-8, 13; see HEBREWS: The New Covenant)
But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. ... how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. (Hebrews 9:11-15; see HEBREWS: The Perfect Sacrifice)
This is why we continue this tradition today, For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. (I Corinthians 11:23-26) We are to continue this memorial for Christ's death for our sins; but Jesus went on to tell the disciples, "But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” (Matthew 26:29; Mark 14:25; Luke 22:18)
What a promise for Christ to make, and a promise He will keep! Yet again, He was reassuring the disciples that He was leaving, but He will be with them and all of us who believe again, in the ...new heaven and a new earth... (Revelations 21:1) Until that day comes, when we are united with Him in His Father’s kingdom, He has a few more promises for us to stand upon, which we will study in the next several lessons... (John 14-17)
Friday, July 26, 2013
THE GOSPEL: Don't Say What You Won't Do; Pray for Strength!
Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered.’ [Zechariah 13:7] “But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be.” Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” But he spoke more vehemently, “If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And they all said likewise. (Mark 14:27-31; Matthew 26:31-35)
Jesus informs the eleven remaining disciples that without Him, they and none of us are as strong as we would like to think we are. We all have good intentions and believe that there are certain things we won't do, but we don't know for sure until we are confronted with having to make a choice. Jesus forewarns Peter, since he spoke out with such certainty, that he would actually deny Christ that very evening, and not just hide like the rest of them. But He reassured Peter immediately; And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.” Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.” (Luke 22:31-34)
And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?” [Luke 9:1-6; Matthew 10:5-15; Mark 6:7-12] So they said, “Nothing.” Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ [Isaiah 53:12] For the things concerning Me have an end.” So they said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.” (Luke 22:35-38)
Yet again, Jesus was preparing the disciples and us who now believe that without Him physically here, things were going to get worse for us and we need to be prepared. Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,... (I Peter 4:1) ...to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. (I Thessalonians 3:2-3)
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints... (Ephesians 6:14-18) Basically, this is what Jesus was telling the disciples and us, how we are to be prepared; Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)
So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately. Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ [John 8:13-28] so now I say to you. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:31-35)
Jesus states that because of what would happen to Him in Jerusalem, being crucified, He would be glorified, God would be glorified and the disciples are to bring glory to Him after His resurrection. Glorify means to reveal or make clear the glory of God by one's actions, to give praise to God. There would be no doubt in anyone's mind after His crucifixion that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God, just as He and God had clearly said. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (II Peter 1:17) But because of the disciples love for one another, all will know that they were My [Christ's] disciples. All the books of the New Testament are the fulfillment of that prophecy and bring glory to Christ.
Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.” Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.” Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times. (John 13:36-38) Peter kept trying, but as we will study very soon, he proved Christ to be True. However, he and all of us can rest in the assurance that no matter how bad we may fail Him or ourselves, Christ is praying for us, just like He prayed for Peter; "But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25) AMEN!
Jesus informs the eleven remaining disciples that without Him, they and none of us are as strong as we would like to think we are. We all have good intentions and believe that there are certain things we won't do, but we don't know for sure until we are confronted with having to make a choice. Jesus forewarns Peter, since he spoke out with such certainty, that he would actually deny Christ that very evening, and not just hide like the rest of them. But He reassured Peter immediately; And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.” Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.” (Luke 22:31-34)
And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?” [Luke 9:1-6; Matthew 10:5-15; Mark 6:7-12] So they said, “Nothing.” Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ [Isaiah 53:12] For the things concerning Me have an end.” So they said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.” (Luke 22:35-38)
Yet again, Jesus was preparing the disciples and us who now believe that without Him physically here, things were going to get worse for us and we need to be prepared. Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,... (I Peter 4:1) ...to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. (I Thessalonians 3:2-3)
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints... (Ephesians 6:14-18) Basically, this is what Jesus was telling the disciples and us, how we are to be prepared; Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)
So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately. Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ [John 8:13-28] so now I say to you. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:31-35)
Jesus states that because of what would happen to Him in Jerusalem, being crucified, He would be glorified, God would be glorified and the disciples are to bring glory to Him after His resurrection. Glorify means to reveal or make clear the glory of God by one's actions, to give praise to God. There would be no doubt in anyone's mind after His crucifixion that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God, just as He and God had clearly said. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (II Peter 1:17) But because of the disciples love for one another, all will know that they were My [Christ's] disciples. All the books of the New Testament are the fulfillment of that prophecy and bring glory to Christ.
Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.” Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.” Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times. (John 13:36-38) Peter kept trying, but as we will study very soon, he proved Christ to be True. However, he and all of us can rest in the assurance that no matter how bad we may fail Him or ourselves, Christ is praying for us, just like He prayed for Peter; "But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25) AMEN!
Thursday, July 25, 2013
THE GOSPEL: Plan Put in Motion; Choose the Better Plan!
“I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’ [Psalm 41:9] Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” (John 13:18-20)
We can't just hang around Christians and think we'll be saved; nor can we just go to church and think we're okay. We all, just like the twelve disciples, have heard the same Word. Either we will choose to believe in Him or not. But if we reject the Word, we are rejecting God, The Father and Creator of all things. As Jesus had stated before, Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. (John 12:44-48; see THE GOSPEL: Released from Fear and Darkness, to Life and Light; THE GOSPEL: Believe the Signs, Believe the Word)
When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” (John 13:21; Matthew 26:21; Mark 14:18) Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke. (John 13:22) Then they began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing. (Luke 22:23) And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to Him one by one, “Is it I?” And another said, “Is it I?" (Mark 14:19; Matthew 26:22) It was bad enough that Jesus had the "weight of the world on His shoulders", knowing what was going to happen to Him in Jerusalem in just a few hours, before His crucifixion and resurrection; but to feel troubled in spirit, knowing that one of the disciples who had been with Him from the beginning would betray Him had to be overwhelming.
Remember, Christ Jesus is Lord God in the flesh, but He was in the flesh. Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:14-15) He felt every emotion we feel, and He was hurt just like we would be hurt or have been hurt, if someone in our confidence betrayed us. But why make this feeling known to the others? "Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He." Yet again, Jesus uses almost every opportunity as a "teaching moment".
Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom [or reclining near Jesus, read "The Seder Service in a Nutshell"] one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” (John 13:23-25) Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. (John 13:26; Matthew 26:23; Mark 14:20; Luke 22:21) "The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” (Matthew 26:24; Mark 14:21; Luke 22:22) Don't let our living be in vain, be for nothing! Let's not also betray the Son of God, by refusing to believe in The Word of God.
Jesus revealed to Peter who would betray Him, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He. And Peter would eventually testify to this fact, after Jesus' resurrection. And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.” (Acts 1:15-17)
Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Rabbi, is it I?” He said to him, “You have said it.” (Matthew 26:25) Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night. (John 13:27-30)
WOW! If we ever had any doubt that God is in control, we shouldn't after this. Peter would testify to this fact also. “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God,... (Acts 2:22-23) Everything that happened to Christ Jesus was a part of God's plan. But Judas Iscariot still had a choice to make, and we do also. We are not to betray Jesus, nor give place to the devil. (Ephesians 4:27)
If we haven't put God first in our lives and accepted Christ Jesus as our Savior and Lord yet, it's not too late, no matter what we may have done. For the Lord spoke through Moses, and said, "But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you... But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days... (Deuteronomy 30:14-18)
I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land..." (Deuteronomy 30:19-20) Judas Iscariot's days were cut short, because He betrayed Jesus. "The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” God said, "I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing..." Let's choose life and blessing today! Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6) AMEN!
We can't just hang around Christians and think we'll be saved; nor can we just go to church and think we're okay. We all, just like the twelve disciples, have heard the same Word. Either we will choose to believe in Him or not. But if we reject the Word, we are rejecting God, The Father and Creator of all things. As Jesus had stated before, Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. (John 12:44-48; see THE GOSPEL: Released from Fear and Darkness, to Life and Light; THE GOSPEL: Believe the Signs, Believe the Word)
When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” (John 13:21; Matthew 26:21; Mark 14:18) Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke. (John 13:22) Then they began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing. (Luke 22:23) And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to Him one by one, “Is it I?” And another said, “Is it I?" (Mark 14:19; Matthew 26:22) It was bad enough that Jesus had the "weight of the world on His shoulders", knowing what was going to happen to Him in Jerusalem in just a few hours, before His crucifixion and resurrection; but to feel troubled in spirit, knowing that one of the disciples who had been with Him from the beginning would betray Him had to be overwhelming.
Remember, Christ Jesus is Lord God in the flesh, but He was in the flesh. Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:14-15) He felt every emotion we feel, and He was hurt just like we would be hurt or have been hurt, if someone in our confidence betrayed us. But why make this feeling known to the others? "Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He." Yet again, Jesus uses almost every opportunity as a "teaching moment".
Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom [or reclining near Jesus, read "The Seder Service in a Nutshell"] one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” (John 13:23-25) Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. (John 13:26; Matthew 26:23; Mark 14:20; Luke 22:21) "The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” (Matthew 26:24; Mark 14:21; Luke 22:22) Don't let our living be in vain, be for nothing! Let's not also betray the Son of God, by refusing to believe in The Word of God.
Jesus revealed to Peter who would betray Him, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He. And Peter would eventually testify to this fact, after Jesus' resurrection. And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.” (Acts 1:15-17)
Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Rabbi, is it I?” He said to him, “You have said it.” (Matthew 26:25) Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night. (John 13:27-30)
WOW! If we ever had any doubt that God is in control, we shouldn't after this. Peter would testify to this fact also. “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God,... (Acts 2:22-23) Everything that happened to Christ Jesus was a part of God's plan. But Judas Iscariot still had a choice to make, and we do also. We are not to betray Jesus, nor give place to the devil. (Ephesians 4:27)
If we haven't put God first in our lives and accepted Christ Jesus as our Savior and Lord yet, it's not too late, no matter what we may have done. For the Lord spoke through Moses, and said, "But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you... But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days... (Deuteronomy 30:14-18)
I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land..." (Deuteronomy 30:19-20) Judas Iscariot's days were cut short, because He betrayed Jesus. "The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” God said, "I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing..." Let's choose life and blessing today! Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6) AMEN!
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
THE GOSPEL: The Greatest Act of Love is Service!
Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. (Luke 22:24)
The twelve disciples were no different than anyone else, which was probably a great frustration to Jesus, but also an encouragement to the rest of us, because of the many opportunities it gave Him to teach them and us important life lessons. He had previously dealt with a similar issue with them, when James and John's mother came requesting of Him to, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.” (Matthew 20:21) At that time, Jesus responded, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:41-45; Matthew 20:24-28); see THE GOSPEL: Want to be Great? First, Have to be a Servant)
Jesus responded in a similar way here. And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves. “But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” [Revelation 21:14] (Luke 22:25-30) A great reward is coming for all of us; If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. (II Timothy 2:12) But while we're here, Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:4)
Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. (John 13:1-5) WOW! What a beautiful example of serving others.
Jesus doesn't just tell us what to do, but He always demonstrated it by doing it Himself, even that ...He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (I John 3:16) "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends." (John 15:13) Laying down our lives doesn't just mean dying physically, but it also means dying from our position of self righteousness, authority and superiority. During biblical times, the people's feet got very dirty because they mostly traveled by walking on dirt roads and paths. That's why frequently throughout scripture we'll read that people made sure to have water available, so that when someone came they could wash their feet. For the people who were better off, they would have a servant to wash the feet. Even though Jesus is greater, he who sits at the table, "Yet I am among you as the One who serves."
Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.” (John 13:6-11) Gotta love outspoken Peter! From one extreme to another within seconds. But yet again, he is a great encouragement to all of us. No matter how much we think we know or understand, Jesus always has more to teach us, if we'll just let Him.
The disciples were "clean" because they and we who believe in Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord are clean, because ...Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,... (Ephesians 5:25-26) The washing of the feet only was to symbolize the act of serving others, which is our responsibility as a Christian, a believer and follower of Christ Jesus. So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. (John 13:12-17)
Jesus was and is our perfect example! Now, we have to be obedient followers. So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ... But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. (James 1:19-25) If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them! AMEN!
The twelve disciples were no different than anyone else, which was probably a great frustration to Jesus, but also an encouragement to the rest of us, because of the many opportunities it gave Him to teach them and us important life lessons. He had previously dealt with a similar issue with them, when James and John's mother came requesting of Him to, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.” (Matthew 20:21) At that time, Jesus responded, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:41-45; Matthew 20:24-28); see THE GOSPEL: Want to be Great? First, Have to be a Servant)
Jesus responded in a similar way here. And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves. “But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” [Revelation 21:14] (Luke 22:25-30) A great reward is coming for all of us; If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. (II Timothy 2:12) But while we're here, Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:4)
Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. (John 13:1-5) WOW! What a beautiful example of serving others.
Jesus doesn't just tell us what to do, but He always demonstrated it by doing it Himself, even that ...He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (I John 3:16) "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends." (John 15:13) Laying down our lives doesn't just mean dying physically, but it also means dying from our position of self righteousness, authority and superiority. During biblical times, the people's feet got very dirty because they mostly traveled by walking on dirt roads and paths. That's why frequently throughout scripture we'll read that people made sure to have water available, so that when someone came they could wash their feet. For the people who were better off, they would have a servant to wash the feet. Even though Jesus is greater, he who sits at the table, "Yet I am among you as the One who serves."
Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.” (John 13:6-11) Gotta love outspoken Peter! From one extreme to another within seconds. But yet again, he is a great encouragement to all of us. No matter how much we think we know or understand, Jesus always has more to teach us, if we'll just let Him.
The disciples were "clean" because they and we who believe in Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord are clean, because ...Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,... (Ephesians 5:25-26) The washing of the feet only was to symbolize the act of serving others, which is our responsibility as a Christian, a believer and follower of Christ Jesus. So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. (John 13:12-17)
Jesus was and is our perfect example! Now, we have to be obedient followers. So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ... But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. (James 1:19-25) If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them! AMEN!
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
THE GOSPEL: The Passover Meal, before The Sacrifice!
Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve. So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. (Luke 22:3-5; Matthew 26:14-15; Mark 14:10-11) And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. (Matthew 26:15) So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude. (Luke 22:3-6; Matthew 26:16; Mark 14:11)
As we studied in the previous lesson, if one of the twelve disciples could not be changed from actually being around Jesus, then we shouldn't be surprised when other refuse to believe in Jesus. (see THE GOSPEL: Jesus Knew God's Plan for Him) As Judas Iscariot was being used by the devil, that too was a part of fulfilling God's plan. But the most important part of God's plan was the sacrifice for the Passover. Just a few days earlier, Jesus had arrived in Jerusalem, and ...a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’[Psalm 118:26] The King of Israel!” (John 12:12-13; see THE GOSPEL: God's Perfect Sacrifice Arrives for the Passover)
Just a few days later, after Jesus had cleaned up the temple again and taught the people what the scriptures truly meant, and not what they had falsely been taught by the Pharisees, scribes and elders, now the time comes for Him to return to Jerusalem to be sacrificed for the sins of all mankind. Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed. And He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.” So they said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare?” And He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters. Then you shall say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready.” So they went and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover. (Luke 22:7-13; Matthew 26:17-19; Mark 14:12-16)
The Passover meal is a Jewish tradition still practiced today. (read "The Seder Service in a Nutshell") As we've studied before, God instituted the Passover while the children of Israel were still enslaved in Egypt. This was their final meal in Egypt, before God fulfilled his tenth and final plague against Pharaoh, ‘On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household.' 'Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight. And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it.' ‘For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.' (Exodus 12:3, 6-7, 12-13)
‘So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. So you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this same day I will have brought your armies out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you shall observe this day throughout your generations as an everlasting ordinance. Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb. (Exodus 12:14-15, 17, 21 )
Remember, Jesus was clear from the beginning of His ministry, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled." (Matthew 5:17-18) When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve. (Matthew 26:20; Mark 14:17; Luke 22:14) Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 22:15-16)
But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:4-5) The fullness of the time had come, for Christ to do what God the Father had sent Him to do. How brave, committed and obedient He remained, even with knowing exactly what was going to happen in just a few hours. “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” (John 10:17-18) AMEN!
As we studied in the previous lesson, if one of the twelve disciples could not be changed from actually being around Jesus, then we shouldn't be surprised when other refuse to believe in Jesus. (see THE GOSPEL: Jesus Knew God's Plan for Him) As Judas Iscariot was being used by the devil, that too was a part of fulfilling God's plan. But the most important part of God's plan was the sacrifice for the Passover. Just a few days earlier, Jesus had arrived in Jerusalem, and ...a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’[Psalm 118:26] The King of Israel!” (John 12:12-13; see THE GOSPEL: God's Perfect Sacrifice Arrives for the Passover)
Just a few days later, after Jesus had cleaned up the temple again and taught the people what the scriptures truly meant, and not what they had falsely been taught by the Pharisees, scribes and elders, now the time comes for Him to return to Jerusalem to be sacrificed for the sins of all mankind. Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed. And He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.” So they said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare?” And He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters. Then you shall say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready.” So they went and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover. (Luke 22:7-13; Matthew 26:17-19; Mark 14:12-16)
The Passover meal is a Jewish tradition still practiced today. (read "The Seder Service in a Nutshell") As we've studied before, God instituted the Passover while the children of Israel were still enslaved in Egypt. This was their final meal in Egypt, before God fulfilled his tenth and final plague against Pharaoh, ‘On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household.' 'Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight. And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it.' ‘For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.' (Exodus 12:3, 6-7, 12-13)
‘So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. So you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this same day I will have brought your armies out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you shall observe this day throughout your generations as an everlasting ordinance. Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb. (Exodus 12:14-15, 17, 21 )
Remember, Jesus was clear from the beginning of His ministry, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled." (Matthew 5:17-18) When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve. (Matthew 26:20; Mark 14:17; Luke 22:14) Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 22:15-16)
But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:4-5) The fullness of the time had come, for Christ to do what God the Father had sent Him to do. How brave, committed and obedient He remained, even with knowing exactly what was going to happen in just a few hours. “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” (John 10:17-18) AMEN!
Monday, July 22, 2013
THE GOSPEL: Jesus Knew God's Plan for Him!
Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, that He said to His disciples, “You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” (Matthew 26:1-2; see THE GOSPEL: Jesus Came for This Hour, for a Specific Purpose; THE GOSPEL: Life Through Death; THE GOSPEL: Stay Focused on Eternal Destination)
Jesus clearly knew what was going to happen to Him when they returned to Jerusalem for the Passover. Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, and plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him. But they said, “Not during the feast, [*the Feast of Unleavened Bread] lest there be an uproar among the people.” (Matthew 26:1-5; Mark 14:1-2; *Luke 22:1-2) In a future study, we will read were Jesus tells the twelve disciples, “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour." (John 12:27) No matter what kind of plotting and planning they did, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people were only doing what was already in God's plan.
God's plan for salvation was from the very beginning of creation, but this plan was not just to save the Jews; just as 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; see Predestined, not Predetermined) God predestined that by Jesus Christ, His Beloved Son, we would be saved. He did not predetermine who would be saved. Each of us individually has a choice to make. Jesus knew He would be crucified, (see THE GOSPEL: Jesus Endured Our Same Struggles) God knew it would be the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the Jews who would carry it out; but each of them had an individual choice to make, whether to go along with the group, or to say it was wrong and stand with the Truth.
We have to be careful of the groups we choose to become a part of. Some groups we can't control being a part of because we may be born into them, but Jesus even said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life." (Mark 10:29-30) Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” (I Corinthians 15:33) There was nothing wrong with being a chief priests, scribes, or elders; nor is there anything wrong with being part of a family or group of friends. But when those groups or people are outside of the Will of God and attempt to lead us the same way, sometimes it becomes necessary to let them go. (see THE GOSPEL: Family, More Than Blood; THE GOSPEL: Who and What We Should Love the Most)
Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, [*in the house of Simon the leper] where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. (John 12:1-3; *Matthew 26:6-7; *Mark 14:3; see THE GOSPEL: Don't Take the Blessings for Granted, but Give Thanks; THE GOSPEL: Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life - 3) Matthew and Mark didn't, but John specifically named who was at this supper. This is the second time recorded in scripture that Mary used very costly oil, anointed the feet of Jesus, wiped His feet with her hair. (see THE GOSPEL: Don't Care What Others Think) But this time, whether she realized it or not, it was also a part of God's Will, because this was a Jewish burial tradition.
But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it. But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.” (John 12:4-8; Matthew 26:8-12; Mark 14:4-8) Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” (Matthew 26:13; Mark 14:9)
Jesus clearly knew what was going to happen to Him when they returned to Jerusalem for the Passover. Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, and plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him. But they said, “Not during the feast, [*the Feast of Unleavened Bread] lest there be an uproar among the people.” (Matthew 26:1-5; Mark 14:1-2; *Luke 22:1-2) In a future study, we will read were Jesus tells the twelve disciples, “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour." (John 12:27) No matter what kind of plotting and planning they did, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people were only doing what was already in God's plan.
God's plan for salvation was from the very beginning of creation, but this plan was not just to save the Jews; just as 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; see Predestined, not Predetermined) God predestined that by Jesus Christ, His Beloved Son, we would be saved. He did not predetermine who would be saved. Each of us individually has a choice to make. Jesus knew He would be crucified, (see THE GOSPEL: Jesus Endured Our Same Struggles) God knew it would be the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the Jews who would carry it out; but each of them had an individual choice to make, whether to go along with the group, or to say it was wrong and stand with the Truth.
We have to be careful of the groups we choose to become a part of. Some groups we can't control being a part of because we may be born into them, but Jesus even said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life." (Mark 10:29-30) Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” (I Corinthians 15:33) There was nothing wrong with being a chief priests, scribes, or elders; nor is there anything wrong with being part of a family or group of friends. But when those groups or people are outside of the Will of God and attempt to lead us the same way, sometimes it becomes necessary to let them go. (see THE GOSPEL: Family, More Than Blood; THE GOSPEL: Who and What We Should Love the Most)
Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, [*in the house of Simon the leper] where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. (John 12:1-3; *Matthew 26:6-7; *Mark 14:3; see THE GOSPEL: Don't Take the Blessings for Granted, but Give Thanks; THE GOSPEL: Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life - 3) Matthew and Mark didn't, but John specifically named who was at this supper. This is the second time recorded in scripture that Mary used very costly oil, anointed the feet of Jesus, wiped His feet with her hair. (see THE GOSPEL: Don't Care What Others Think) But this time, whether she realized it or not, it was also a part of God's Will, because this was a Jewish burial tradition.
But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it. But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.” (John 12:4-8; Matthew 26:8-12; Mark 14:4-8) Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” (Matthew 26:13; Mark 14:9)
Again, Matthew and Mark didn't, but John specified Judas Iscariot as the disciple who had a problem with what Mary did, because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it. Yet again, it just goes to show that if one of the twelve disciples could not be changed from actually being around Jesus, then we shouldn't be surprised when other refuse to believe in Jesus. But even this was a part of God's Will, for Jesus foretold them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” (John 6:70) If “Evil company corrupts good habits,” then the same is true that A wise man fears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self-confident. (Proverbs 14:16)
However, no matter what we choose to believe or not believe, it doesn't change the Truth! (see THE GOSPEL: Live Ready to Go at Any Time) From the beginning, when man chose to believe the lies of the devil, God promised the devil "...I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.” (Genesis 3:15) "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:14-15) The devil thought he could stop God's plan by using the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people, but all he did was bruise His heel. Jesus would eventually bruise [crush] his head...
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