tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13159896461126412052024-02-20T10:43:01.044-05:00Just a Simple SheepUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315989646112641205.post-70514080364279141582014-08-04T12:50:00.000-04:002014-08-04T12:50:10.081-04:00A Salty Challenge<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">The
Passage</span></u><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Matthew
5:13-20<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">You are the salt
of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is
then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">“You are the
light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they
light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light
to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may
see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">“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.
Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches
men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and
teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to
you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes
and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">A
Little Background</span></u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">The
Sermon on the Mount opened with Matthew 5:1 telling us that Jesus went to a
level place, sat down with his <i>disciples</i>
and began to teach them. It closes with Matthew 7:28, 29 telling us that <i>the people</i> were astonished at His
teachings. It seems as though Jesus chose the location to sit down with the
intent, first of all, to teach His disciples, but knowing also that He would
attract a larger audience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Jesus’
teachings are specifically targeted to those who will follow Him: those who
will be believers. We who are readers of the 21<sup>st</sup> century have the
advantage of knowing the rest of the story. We know that ultimately Jesus will
go to the cross, taking the punishment of our sin on to Himself, and then rise
from the dead. However, even after 3 ½ years of teaching, His disciples did not
understand when Jesus foretold His death. Certainly the crowd would not be able
to comprehend His future sacrificial atonement. We can look at the entire
context and understand that salvation through faith in Jesus’ cross work is the
entrance into God’s Kingdom. The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus’ description of
how life will be in His kingdom. It is a spiritual kingdom in which Jesus
Christ reigns as king in the hearts of believers<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Some
Explanation</span></u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">In
the last post we saw that Jesus opened His sermon with the Beatitudes, or eight
blessing statements. These were unusual “blessings”—to be poor in spirit, to be
meek, to be persecuted, etc. The Beatitudes stand at the entrance of this
Kingdom message pointing to the heart change that is necessary for Kingdom
life. We must first recognize our own spiritual poverty. It is no wonder that
the people declared that Jesus taught as one having authority unlike the scribes
and Pharisees. In fact, Jesus very quickly challenged the Pharisees’ teachings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Observations
and Insights</span></u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">“<i>You are the salt of the earth...</i>” In ancient
times salt was so valuable that Roman soldiers were often paid with salt<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>.
Before industrialization there was no source or process for purifying salt;
salt was harvested out of rock and other minerals containing many impurities.
The salt would lose its moisture and turn to powder. When salt “lost its savor”
it was no longer useful. Salt poured onto soil could damage the soil;
therefore, the only “safe” place to toss spent salt was in a road way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">George
W. Wright notes, “<i>Salt is used to season
food. It can be irritating to a wound<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">[4]</span></b></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>,
or it can create thirst in a person. It is also used as a preservative.
Christian believers are called to be all of these things</i>.” Jesus warns us
that it is possible to lose the strength of our testimony.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">“<i>You are the light of the world...</i>” The “Bible”
that people had in Jesus’ day was the Torah, or Law of Moses. The Law is God’s
revelation of Himself to mankind. Since the Pharisees kept and interpreted the
Law, various noted Rabbis were called “the light of the world”<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>.
But now Jesus is calling these fishermen, tax collectors, and other common
people the light of the world! The Greek word for light here is phos,<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
and it is used here in the singular spoken to a group of people. Jesus is not
saying that each person has his own divine spark or light. John identified Jesus as the light, and later
Jesus said, “<i><u>I am</u> the light of the
world</i>.” The picture here is like the sun and the moon. The moon gives light
at night, but it has no source of light in itself. It reflects the light of the
sun. We have no true light in ourselves. John the apostle said of John the
baptizer, that he was not “that Light.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
He also said that mankind hated the light because their deeds were evil. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">The
two pictures of salt and light are reminders that our lives are to be an active
and effective witness for Jesus in the world. If Jesus had not rankled the
Pharisees yet, what He said next would surely strike hard. Indeed, the context of the Sermon on the
Mount, stands in bold opposition to the Pharisees religious system.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rJ5GrHGvLejMMfr55ZibKfmzzU3eEJzWzH2wfYkoY-tUoVEoFTE-7pKNK6ySFFFCQaS5Fqq6NhozQZfeTSYP1Wj84OEAuhxPcAiXZgq1EMMRXVbzMeRayEWTGg8ShAk86Bi0jWMnqug/s1600/Jot+and+Tittle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rJ5GrHGvLejMMfr55ZibKfmzzU3eEJzWzH2wfYkoY-tUoVEoFTE-7pKNK6ySFFFCQaS5Fqq6NhozQZfeTSYP1Wj84OEAuhxPcAiXZgq1EMMRXVbzMeRayEWTGg8ShAk86Bi0jWMnqug/s1600/Jot+and+Tittle.jpg" height="320" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://www.hebrew4christians.com/<br />Grammar/Introduction/<br />Why_Hebrew_/why_hebrew_.html</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">“<i>Do not think that I came to destroy the Law
or the Prophets...</i>” Jesus declared that He would fulfill the Law and the
Prophets. The emphasis here is on the law, which Jesus will continue to expound
on. A jot and tittle were the little letters and serifs on Hebrew letters. In
Jesus’ day, the Word of God was so revered that extreme, meticulous care was
taken to copy it so that there were no errors in transcription. Jesus was
emphasizing that He Himself would fulfill even the smallest detail. If Jesus,
the Word of God made flesh, is the fulfillment of even the slightest detail of
Scripture, shall I take a Scripture out of context and lead others into
misunderstanding, “...<i>Whoever therefore
breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so...”?</i> How can I take any Scripture lightly?
Neglecting God’s Word in light of Jesus’ statements here is like neglecting
Jesus Himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">“...<i>unless your righteousness exceeds the
righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees...</i>” Perhaps Jesus gave at least
some commendation to the Pharisees here for their adherence to the Law, but
that is not His point. The Pharisees’ righteousness was their own personal
effort to keep the details of the law, not because of their love for God, but
for their own gain and boasting. The apostle Paul was himself a Pharisee of the
Pharisees. He said that in regards to keeping the law he was blameless, but he
had no righteousness in himself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">...concerning the law, a
Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness
which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, these I have
counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the
excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the
loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be
found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that
which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;
that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of
His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to
the resurrection from the dead. </span></i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Philippians 3:5b-10<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">We
have no righteousness apart from Jesus’ righteousness. We receive that through
faith in His cross work for us. Do we want to know the power of His
resurrection? Then we must also be made conformable to His death, and know the
fellowship of His suffering. He set aside His own power, authority and glory. Denying
Himself he received our sin as His own. He took the punishment of death in our
place and God received His sacrifice by raising Him from the dead. If He did
that for me, then how can I cling to any so-called inherent goodness in my “self”?
If I cling to my self-esteem, my personal rights, or my own identity, how then
can I receive the righteousness of Christ? His cross work is the faith that that I stand
upon. That is not only my power for living, but unless I receive it, I cannot
enter the kingdom of heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Note:
Much of the Harmony readings will be pieced together like a puzzle putting the
four Gospels together into one narrative. I am copying the order or format from
<i>A Simplified Harmony of the Gospels,</i>
George W. Wright, Holman Bible Publishers, 2001. However, I am using the New
King James rather than the HCSB. This order is from the research of Wright and
is open to discussion. Of course, you can also read the passages side by side
separately if you prefer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">This
describes the Kingdom of God as we know it now. Ultimately, Jesus will return
to earth and establish an eternal kingdom in which He will reign over all the
earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">A
soldier was said to be “worth his salt” when he performed his duties well. The
word salary comes from the word salt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Although
“</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">rubbing salt in a wound” makes it feel worse, it
also helps it heal faster!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 8.0pt;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 8.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">http://www.come-and-hear.com/bababathra/bababathra_4.html</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Phos</span></i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">
is the root of the word phosphorus<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">John
1:4, 5;6-9;, 3:19<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315989646112641205.post-86408470793545781352014-07-27T01:07:00.000-04:002014-07-27T01:08:02.231-04:00Blessed...?<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">The
Passage<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Matthew
5:1-12; Luke 6:20-26<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">And
seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His
disciples came to Him. Then He opened
His mouth and taught them, saying:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">“</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Blessed are the
poor in spirit, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Blessed are those who mourn, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">for they shall be comforted.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Blessed
are the meek, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">for
they shall inherit the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Blessed
are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">for they shall be filled.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Blessed
are the merciful, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">for
they shall obtain mercy.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Blessed
are the pure in heart, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">for
they shall see God.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Blessed
are the peacemakers, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">for
they shall be called sons of God.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Blessed
are those who are persecuted for righteousness</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">’</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"> sake, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven. Blessed are you when they revile
and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so
they persecuted the prophets who were before you.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"> But woe to you who are rich, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">for you have received your
consolation. Woe to you who are full, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">for you shall hunger. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Woe to you who laugh now, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">for you shall mourn and weep. Woe
to you when all men speak well of you, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">for so did their fathers to
the false prophets."<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">A
Little Background</span></u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">This
part of Jesus’ sermon on the mount is known as The Beatitudes. The word <i>beatitude</i>
comes from a Latin word meaning blessed or happy. Jesus preached this message
to a crowd that had gathered around Him as He spoke specifically to His
disciples. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9iM-Ek5BsWV5v3ozpVKD6w_BJD3LXxpwO49Y7fqFdN3EWkcOYgnFrA0e6u1q6XBYX0hcFrTSzOjaQbYWs5j3JWp7NbhyB3mP4N8QMuzRYMZe2rmSOeOAHtq6qJ8alMTnmEJhh5nV0iI/s1600/Sermon+on+the+Mount.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9iM-Ek5BsWV5v3ozpVKD6w_BJD3LXxpwO49Y7fqFdN3EWkcOYgnFrA0e6u1q6XBYX0hcFrTSzOjaQbYWs5j3JWp7NbhyB3mP4N8QMuzRYMZe2rmSOeOAHtq6qJ8alMTnmEJhh5nV0iI/s1600/Sermon+on+the+Mount.png" height="169" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">On
Holy Land tours, the commonly accepted location of this event is on Mount
Eremos on the northern shore of Lake Galilee, near Capernaum. The setting
around the sea provides natural amplification and a broad area on which the
people would have sat.<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Some
Explanation</span></u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Jesus
made eight blessing statements in Matthew 5:1-10. The last portion from verses 11 and 12 is considered to be an explanation and extension of verse 10. The word <i>blessed</i>
in the Greek here means to be happy or in an enviable state. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Jesus
had been introducing the coming of the Kingdom of God. This good news was eagerly
anticipated. These Roman-oppressed Jews had been waiting for the Anointed One
to reclaim Israel for God’ glory.
However, when Jesus appeared before Pilate He declared that His kingdom was
not of this world. The kingdom that Jesus preached was to be a spiritual
reality for His followers now, and a governmental reality at some future time. </span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif;">As
Jesus preached, He was saying that these truths were the way
His followers would live in His kingdom. Salvation would be the entrance.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Observations
and Insights<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Our
modern Western culture defines blessing as having peace, prosperity, and ease.
We are blessed to have a nice home, cars that run, a good income, and good
health. But notice that none of these items are part of the Beatitudes.
Instead, Jesus opens with a statement that contradicts our very idea of
blessing, “Blessed are the poor in spirit...”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">John
Piper notes that the very first blessing statement and the last both declare a
present reality. <i>“Blessed are the poor in
spirit, <u>for theirs is</u> the kingdom of heaven.”</i> (Matthew 5:3) “<i>Blessed are those who are persecuted for
righteousness’ sake, <u>for theirs is</u> the kingdom of heaven. </i>(Matthew
5:10) Each of the six statements in between declare a future reality, “<i>Blessed are those who mourn, <u>for they
shall be</u> comforted.</i>” Matthew 5:4)<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">I
found an excellent study on being poor in spirit by Mike Cleveland of Setting
Captives free:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">*
This spiritual poverty is, in reality, the foundation of all graces. God gives grace to the humble, not to the
proud. The humble—those who recognize
their own impoverished condition—are given grace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">* Emptiness precedes fullness. We cannot receive anything from God until we
have empty hands. He who recognizes he
has nothing to offer God will receive everything from God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">*
Self must be denied in order for Christ
to be wanted. If our goal is to honor
ourselves, Christ will be far from us.
But he who honors God will himself be honored.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">* A starving heart will give all to have the
Bread of Life. It is only the hungry
person—not the full—who senses his need of Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">For
the entire study see: <a href="http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/courses/way-of-purity/day52/section1/">http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/courses/way-of-purity/day52/section1/</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">We
cannot enter God’s kingdom unless we are truly poor in spirit for we are
enemies of God by our wicked works with no possible way to reconcile ourselves
to Him (Colossians 1:19-22). We must humble ourselves before Him confessing our
sin and fallen state and then receive Christ’s death as payment for punishment
that we deserved. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">The
last of the Beatitudes states blessing for those who are persecuted; theirs,
too, is the kingdom of heaven. We should expect that as a child of God we will
at some time face opposition for our faith. Jesus said that if the world hated
Him, they would hate us also, for the servant is not greater than His master.
Persecution is an absolute reality for the follower of Christ. For some it is
opposition and rejection from family, friends, neighbors or co-workers. But for
many, (and that number is surely increasing), true persecution resulting in
physical suffering and/or death awaits us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">These
two promises are like two slices of bread on a sandwich, with the meat in
between. For the citizen of God’s kingdom who enters through poverty of spirit
and walks in the reality of persecution, the blessings are rich. These
blessings are not the requirements to enter the kingdom, but the character of
those who are living in the kingdom and the promises that are theirs. We will
mourn, but we will be comforted<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>.
Meekness, gentleness, mildness will be rewarded with an inheritance in the earth.
Believers will hunger and thirst for righteousness—not their own, but Jesus’
own righteousness, and He will fill them. (Phil. 3:8-9) We will be required to
show mercy for the mercy we obtain. God indwells those whose hearts are toward Him
in purity and truth. Finally, sons, or children of the kingdom will be
peacemakers. God gives us the ministry of reconciliation. By leading others to
faith in the Lord Jesus (who themselves become children of God), we show them
the One who made peace with God for us by the blood of His cross (Colossians
1:19-22). These shall be called sons of
God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">I
recognize a shallowness in myself when I consider how I have breezed through
this passage so many times. Instead, I now see its truth as sobering, yet its
promises rich. It stands as an entrance into the rest of the sermon; my poverty
of heart is the gate. But today's Christianity often beckons us to befriend the world's system, to seek popularity and earthly success. Notice Jesus' stern warning, </span><i style="text-indent: 24px;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif;">"But woe to you who are rich, </span></i><i style="text-indent: 24px;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif;"></span></i><i style="text-indent: 24px;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif;">for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full, </span></i><i style="text-indent: 24px;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif;"></span></i><i style="text-indent: 24px;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif;">for you shall hunger. </span></i><i style="text-indent: 24px;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif;"></span></i><i style="text-indent: 24px;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif;">Woe to you who laugh now, </span></i><i style="text-indent: 24px;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif;"></span></i><i style="text-indent: 24px;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif;">for you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you when all men speak well of you, </span></i><i style="text-indent: 24px;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif;"></span></i><i style="text-indent: 24px;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif;">for so did their fathers to the false prophets."</span></i></div>
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<i style="text-indent: 24px;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="text-indent: 24px;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif;">From Adam4D: </span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri Light, sans-serif;"><i>http://adam4d.com/jesus-vs-world/</i></span></div>
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<div>
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<div id="ftn1">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Note:
Much of the Harmony readings will be pieced together like a puzzle putting the
four Gospels together into one narrative. I am copying the order or format from
<i>A Simplified Harmony of the Gospels,</i>
George W. Wright, Holman Bible Publishers, 2001. However, I am using the New
King James rather than the HCSB. This order is from the research of Wright and
is open to discussion. Of course, you can also read the passages side by side
separately if you prefer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">There
is another location that some scholars argue may have been the site. It is noted
that in Luke’s account, Jesus went down to a level place. But this is no
contradiction. There are several level places on the slope of Mt. Eremos where
Jesus may have taught. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">http://www.desiringgod.org/sermons/the-beatitudes-and-the-gospel-of-the-kingdom</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The
mourning is for our sin and its consequences leading to repentance. For more
excellent commentary on the beatitudes see:</span> <span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">http://www.gotquestions.org/search.php?zoom_query=beatitudes&search.x=0&search.y=0<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315989646112641205.post-16769278564193290652014-07-02T20:46:00.002-04:002014-07-02T20:46:21.313-04:00The Lost Pages and the 50 Commandments of Christ<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguq8QX22SNUq8PoopvQLa06SxldmUmHJRzgXoFrDjryBJ0QXNvEAg2N-ZqUqkxHbf6_5-0PBgzUCuaGEnbRgLerc_qOjQeRylVvCf1eRSl1Foza1Y0RidOKDuMH3KIa-lRNgDp_pbIaok/s1600/Lost+Pages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguq8QX22SNUq8PoopvQLa06SxldmUmHJRzgXoFrDjryBJ0QXNvEAg2N-ZqUqkxHbf6_5-0PBgzUCuaGEnbRgLerc_qOjQeRylVvCf1eRSl1Foza1Y0RidOKDuMH3KIa-lRNgDp_pbIaok/s1600/Lost+Pages.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">A
number of years ago, I challenged myself to read the Sermon on the Mount
(Matthew 5, 6, and 7) every day. Here’s what I learned. Law is hard; law brings
condemnation. Yes, it was a great idea, but when I missed, I felt my failure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">To be
sure I DID read the Sermon on the Mount many times over, in fact, so much so
that the pages fell out of my Bible and eventually were lost. That is the point
of this post. This sermon of Jesus’ describes a spiritual life that is
beautiful. It inspires and compels us. But it also condemned me when I
failed...which I did, and do...almost daily...ouch! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">When
God separated the Israelites out from among all the peoples of the earth, He
gave them a precious gift and a curse. He gave His “Rules for Lining””—the Law.
This law was the way for them to live in relationship to God. That was the
blessing. But the relationship was limited, partial, and ultimately only served
to show them their failure and condemnation when they could not keep it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri Light, sans-serif;">Jesus’
Sermon on the Mount took the law even further. Jesus preached that it was no
longer enough to keep the outward requirements of the law; God was looking for
inward purity. It wasn't enough to refrain from adultery; if one even looks at
another woman with lust, he is guilty. I have to remove “the log” out of my own
eye before I can talk about the splinter in someone else. These teachings must
have worn on the disciples’ soul for eventually they would cry out, “Who then
can be saved!” Exactly! It is impossible to win God’s favor by keeping the law.
But God provided the way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">The
Law, written on tablets of stone, was stone to hardened hearts. In this Sermon
on the Mount, Jesus was declaring the coming of a new kingdom in which Jesus’
cross work would ultimately bring the Holy Spirit to our hearts. His power
would transform stony hearts to receive a new royal law of liberty written on
hearts of flesh, and that is faith working through love.<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">The
disciples were right. No one can be saved by the law, and neither can we be
made righteous by our depraved efforts to keep it. I once read an article in
which the author proclaimed that the 50 commandments of Christ would transform
the world. The missing pages from my Bible explain why this is a problem. Striving to live this sermon by our own self
efforts is a lost cause. It is simply law heaped upon law. None of our “good
works” can merit us the benefits of God’s favor and grace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">It is
only through the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit living in us that we can
live this beautiful sermon. </span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif;">I did
eventually copy the lost verses and replace them in my Bible. God’s Word itself
explained the solution to my problem. Jesus died and rose again to redeem me
from the curse of the law: the condemnation for my failure. Salvation is the
way into His Kingdom, and that is the good news of the Gospel. In the same way
Jesus also provides the means to live in His kingdom. He is the One who grows
us, and changes us as we obey Him.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">As we
read through the next three chapters of Matthew, I pray that you will know the
transforming power of the Lord Jesus Christ through the salvation He provided
and the enabling power of His grace to live it as you yield to Him. His yoke is
easy and His burden is light.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<div id="ftn1">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Ezekiel
36:26; James</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> 1:25, 2:8 ; Galatians 5:6<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315989646112641205.post-58296172125763795592014-06-15T06:00:00.000-04:002014-06-15T16:41:28.805-04:00Twelve Disciples and a Fun Video<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">The
Passage</span></u><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Matthew
10:2-4; Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-16<o:p></o:p></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a><br />
<div>
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 27.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Now it came to
pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all
night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to
Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles that they
might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power
to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons: Simon, whom He also named Peter, and
Andrew his brother; James and John (to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that
is, “Sons of Thunder”); Philip and Bartholomew; Matthew the tax collector and
Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot; Judas the son
of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Some
Explanation</span></u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Excerpt
from <i>A Simplified Harmony of the Gospels</i>
by George W. Wright<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 35.1pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">A
comparison of the lists of Jesus’ twelve disciples in Matthew, Mark, and Luke
yields some interesting results. Another list also appears in Acts 1:13. All
the names in these three lists are not the same. The differences are explained
by the fact that some of the disciples were known by more than one name.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 35.1pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Here
is a complete list of the Twelve, with the variant names noted and a brief
description of each.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 27.0pt; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; margin-left: 27.0pt; mso-border-insideh: none; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.2pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Disciple/Apostle<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.2pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Description<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.2pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Calibri Light";">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal;">
</span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Simon (Peter)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.2pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">A fisherman from Galilee;
Andrew’s brother<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.2pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Calibri Light";">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal;">
</span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Andrew<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.2pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">A fisherman from Galilee;
Peter’s brother<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.2pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Calibri Light";">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal;">
</span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">James<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.2pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">A fisherman from Galilee;
son of Zebedee; John’s brother<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.2pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Calibri Light";">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal;">
</span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">John<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.2pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">A fisherman from Galilee;
son of Zebedee; James’s brother<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.2pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Calibri Light";">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal;">
</span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Philip<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.2pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">From Bethsaida<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.2pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Calibri Light";">6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal;">
</span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Bartholomew (Nathanael)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.2pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">From Cana in Calilee<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.2pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Calibri Light";">7.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal;">
</span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Thomas (Didymas<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">[3]</span></b></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.2pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Perhaps a fisherman<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.2pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Calibri Light";">8.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal;">
</span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Matthew (Levi)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.2pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">A tax collector from
Capernaum<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.2pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Calibri Light";">9.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal;">
</span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">James<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">[4]</span></b></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
(not the same as James, son of Zebedee)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.2pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Son of Alphaeus<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.2pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Calibri Light";">10.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal;"> </span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Lebbaeus
Thadddaeus (Judas)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.2pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Called Judas son of James to
distinguish him from Judas Iscariot<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.2pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Calibri Light";">11.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal;"> </span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Simon
(the Zealot)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.2pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">From Cana; associated with
the Zealots, revolutionaries opposed to Rome<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.2pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Calibri Light";">12.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal;"> </span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Judas
Iscariot<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 250.2pt;" valign="top" width="334"><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">From Kerioth in southern
Judah; probably the only disciple from outside Galilee<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 27.0pt; text-indent: 9.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Some
Explanation</span></u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">These
are the twelve disciples that Jesus specifically called and trained to
ultimately be the foundational apostles of the faith (minus Judas). These
twelve apostles were responsible for establishing the church and doctrines of
the faith according to Ephesians 4:19-22; Acts 2:42; and 1 Timothy 4:6, 13, 16,
17 (and numerous other passages). There were many other followers—disciples—of
Jesus. For example 70 disciples were sent out by Jesus in Luke 10. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Observations
and Insights</span></u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Jesus
often pulled aside three disciples within this group of twelve—Peter, James and
John. One of these three, John, is often seen as having a closer relationship to
Jesus than the others. Some commentators write of these relationships as being “the
inner circle”. This is used to support a popular teaching that believers should
strive to achieve higher levels of intimacy in God for greater power and
authority in the Kingdom of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">It is
a valid observation that these three did experience more of Jesus attention and
<b><i>seemed</i></b>
to have experiences of special privileges
above the others, such as seeing Jesus’ transfiguration. However, when the
mother of James and John, two of the so-called inner circle, asked that her
sons have higher honor in Christ’s coming kingdom, Jesus was quick to correct
her faulty request. He also said that whoever wants to be great in God’s kingdom
must first of all be a servant. He modeled this principle by washing the
disciples’ feet just hours before His arrest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Later,
Paul also rebuked the Corinthians believers for practicing sectarianism and
promotion. Speaking of Paul, he was known as an “apostle born out of due time”.
This meant that he, too, was a foundational apostle, but not one of the original
who had been with Jesus before His crucifixion. Since Paul did not have the
three years’ of teaching under Jesus as the original eleven had, Paul’s
understanding of Jesus’ doctrine was by special revelation and visions which he
likely experienced in the Arabian desert for approximately three years
(Galatians 1:11-17). When Paul later soundly rebuked the erring Corinthians for
their spiritual arrogance, he was loathe to defend himself by claiming any superiority
by his revelations. In fact, he claimed that his “thorn in the flesh” was given
to him by God, through Satan to keep his spiritual pride in check (2
Corinthians 12:1-11). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Finally,
Jesus appeared to the Apostle John during John’s exile on the island of Patmos
(in Greece) and gave specific messages to seven churches. In two of the
messages he rebuked a group of people known as the Nicolaitans. It is
understood by most Biblical scholars that the Nicolaitans (the word means “conquer
the laity”) had established a spiritual hierarchy within the church. Jesus
said that he hated the deeds and doctrine of the Nicolaitans in Revelation 2:6,
15.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">It is
clear by these examples that Jesus not only <i>did not</i> establish a model of
spiritual levels and authority, but that He hates such a teaching. I believe
that Peter, James and John’s unique and special experiences with Jesus were
because of the greater weight that they would bear. Peter became the leader of the Apostles after Jesus' ascension. Jesus told His disciples
(not just the twelve but all his disciples) that they would be hated and
persecuted, and delivered up to death. James was the first Apostle martyred.<span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[5</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">] John received the Revelation of Jesus Christ regarding the end times while exiled on the island of Patmos.</span></span><!--[endif]--></span>
Jesus said, “...to whom much is given, much is required...” (Luke 12:48). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Rather
than seeking greater honor, power and authority, we as disciples and leaders
must follow Jesus’ teaching to serve, preach the gospel, and make disciples. Wherever
the Lord leads us, whatever He brings to our lives is to be given back to
Him in humility as a crown laid before His feet. We have received nothing
except what is given to us by Him anyway (1 Corinthians 4:6,7). Leadership in
the body of Christ is a place of honor, but it is also a great responsibility.
Jesus is the Great Shepherd of the sheep. We who serve as under shepherds must
do so in fear and reverence for the Lord whom we follow. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">And one final question: Can you name all the disciples? Here is a fun video. I learned this song many years ago. I still sing it to remember the names. Enjoy! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwC-DTl1zewwqUu9-IweugWdOMQu8I0fgZ9VjSXn9_oX7ix-9gwiK6kXQ7hD-SWzrQ3g4pdhT4xuBZR8gNa4A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="ftn1">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">[1]</span></span></span></a> <span style="font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">Note: Much of the Harmony readings will be pieced together like a puzzle putting the four Gospels together into one narrative. I am copying the order or format from <i>A Simplified Harmony of the Gospels,</i> George W. Wright, Holman Bible Publishers, 2001. However, I am using the New King James rather than the HCSB. This order is from the research of Wright and is open to discussion. Of course, you can also read the passages side by side separately if you prefer.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">George W. Wright,<i> A Simplified Harmony of the Gospels,</i> Holman
Bible Publishers, p. 63.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
<span style="font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif;">Didymas
means twin<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
<span style="font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif;">Later
known in church history as James the Lesser or James the Minor<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn4">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
</span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Stephen
was martyred before this, but he was not one of the twelve appointed by Jesus.</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315989646112641205.post-89371839962777175752014-06-13T07:29:00.002-04:002014-06-13T13:56:46.590-04:00Bruised and Broken<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">The
Passage</span></u><br />
<div class="WordSection1">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Matthew
12:15-21; Mark 3:7-12<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">But
Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea. And a great multitude from
Galilee followed Him, and from Judea and Jerusalem and Idumea and beyond
the Jordan; and those from Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they heard
how many things He was doing, came to Him. So He told His disciples that
a small boat should be kept ready for Him because of the multitude, lest they
should crush Him. For He healed many, so that as many as had
afflictions pressed about Him to touch Him. And the unclean spirits, whenever
they saw Him, fell down before Him and cried out, saying, “You are the Son of
God.” <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">But
He sternly warned them that they should not make Him known, that it might be
fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: 26.1pt; margin-top: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"> “Behold! My Servant whom I have
chosen, My Beloved in
whom My soul is well pleased!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-right: 26.1pt; margin-top: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">I
will put My Spirit upon Him, and He will declare justice to the Gentiles. He
will not quarrel nor cry out, nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"> A bruised reed He will not break, and
smoking flax He will not quench, till He sends forth justice to victory; and
in His name Gentiles will trust.”<span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">[2]</span></b></span></a></span></span></i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">A
Little Background<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jgTGZiAwn8Ed5mZaec5xbjAVR6DnXiSjfenfgnpFfLzsW-BG3hN_jxakHyfFDGi_ZPDEfRS60qtNMrXuU-bDsDZrwQsfnvT2C5RchgGP8VggdDpmaPdicdu0GNHEKE1oLBlVgu3RNzw/s1600/Tyre+and+Sidon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jgTGZiAwn8Ed5mZaec5xbjAVR6DnXiSjfenfgnpFfLzsW-BG3hN_jxakHyfFDGi_ZPDEfRS60qtNMrXuU-bDsDZrwQsfnvT2C5RchgGP8VggdDpmaPdicdu0GNHEKE1oLBlVgu3RNzw/s1600/Tyre+and+Sidon.jpg" height="320" width="226" /></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Galilee,
Judea, Idumea and Perea (aka TransJordan or “across the Jordan River) are all
regions within Israel. Tyre and Sidon were in Phoenicia, now modern-day Lebanon. By the way, the wicked princess Jezebel was also from Sidon. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Observations
and Insights</span></u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Even
in a day without modern communication technology, news of Jesus’ ministry
spread quickly. It was not uncommon for Jesus, pressed by the crowd, to sit in
a boat to teach. The prophecy from Isaiah 42:1-4 explains the nature of Jesus’
ministry. Despite the crowds, Jesus was not an attention seeker; he didn’t stand
in the streets to incite the people. He did not need, nor want, advance
marketing teams to organize ahead of his arrival. In fact, it seems from Mark 1:45 that the crowds prevented Him from moving freely. He even forbade the demons
from speaking of Him (see also http://justasimplesheep.blogspot.com/2014/03/jesus-and-deliverance-ministry.html).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Today,
ministries often strive to start some movement or advance an agenda, but that
was not Jesus’ goal. Jesus came to give His life as a ransom for us, to seek
and save those who are lost. The people wanted instant deliverance from their
immediate problems: disease, distresses, demons, Roman oppression. But
deliverance from these injustices would be temporary and incomplete. Jesus’ one
purpose was to redeem us from the injustice inflicted on us all from the Garden
of Eden—the curse of sin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Jesus
lived in human flesh; He saw our lives, heard our cries, and felt our pain and
bondage. Those who came to Him with their bruised and broken lives in willing
repentance, He did not scold or rebuke. The tax collector, the prostitute, the thief,
the poor in spirit—these He received, and gave life and victory. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div>
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="ftn1">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
<span style="font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif;">Note:
Much of the Harmony readings will be pieced together like a puzzle putting the
four Gospels together into one narrative. I am copying the order or format from
<i>A Simplified Harmony of the Gospels,</i>
George W. Wright, Holman Bible Publishers, 2001. However, I am using the New
King James rather than the HCSB. This order is from the research of Wright and
is open to discussion. Of course, you can also read the passages side by side
separately if you prefer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
</span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Isaiah
42:1-4</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315989646112641205.post-45095587460596949762014-05-25T06:00:00.000-04:002015-05-12T19:07:00.158-04:00Pickin'<span style="font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif;"><u>The Passage</u></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Matthew 12:1-8; Mark 2:23-28;
Luke 6:1-5<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">[1]</span></b></span></span></a></span></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Now
it happened on the second Sabbath after the first that He went through the
grainfields. And His disciples plucked the heads of grain and ate them, rubbing
them in their hands. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, “Look,
Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">But
He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and
those who were with him: how he entered
the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest and ate the showbread
which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only
for the priests? Or have you not read in
the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and
are blameless? Yet I say to you that in
this place there is One greater than the temple. But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire
mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">And
He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the
Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is
also Lord of the Sabbath.<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">[2]</span></b></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Now
it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught.
And a man was there whose right hand was withered. So the scribes and Pharisees
watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find
an accusation against Him. But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who
had the withered hand, “Arise and stand here.” And he arose and stood.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-indent: .25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Then
He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it
falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Of
how much more value then is a man than a sheep?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-indent: .25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Then
Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to
do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?” But they kept silent.
And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness
of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he
stretched it out, and
his hand was restored as whole as the other.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-indent: .25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Then
the Pharisees went out, filled with rage, and immediately plotted with the
Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">A
Little Background</span></u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">The
Old Testament law allowed for passersby to pluck and eat from the grains of
wheat in a farmer’s field, but they could not reap it (Deuteronomy 23:25). The
Pharisees were not disputing the disciples eating the grain, but that by
plucking or picking the grain, they were “working”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Jesus
was reminding the Pharisees about an event in the life of David found in 1
Samuel 21. When David fled from Saul, he ran to the tabernacle and asked for
bread from the high priest. The bread was from the table of showbread in the
tabernacle. That bread was set aside, made holy, for worship to the Lord. New
fresh bread was to be placed on the altar each day. The high priest gave David
the old bread that had been replaced by the new bread.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Some
Explanation</span></u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">“Have you not read what David
did when he was hungry...”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">
The Pharisees were experts in the fine parts of the law—the Old Testament.
Jesus, therefore, used the Old Testament to point out their error. Just as in
the case of David’s need of bread, so also Jesus’ disciples were hungry and
needed food. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">”...on the Sabbath the priests
in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless...”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"> The law stated that fresh new
bread was to be placed on the Table of Showbread every day; therefore, the
priest had to “work” on the Sabbath. The Pharisees got around that issue by
stating that because the Temple (also the tabernacle) is holy, work on the
Sabbath related to Temple worship was allowed. When Jesus said, “<i>Yet I say to you that in this place there is
One greater than the temple,” </i>He was again declaring His authority and
superiority over the Sabbath laws and the Temple itself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">“...<i> and immediately plotted with the Herodians
against Him, how they might destroy Him.” </i>The Herodians were one of five
sects of Judaism at the time of Christ. As the name suggests, the Herodians
were Jews who supported Herod. Pharisees were the polar opposite; yet, the two
sects collaborate to destroy Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Observations
and Insights</span></u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">The
Pharisees had added burdensome layers to the Sabbath laws, and then made
keeping those Sabbath laws central to Judaism. Colossians and Hebrews gives us
insight on the Sabbath. In Paul’s letter to the Gentile Colossians, he tells
them not to receive judgment from anyone who tries to burden them with keeping the
Sabbath, the Feasts or laws about eating and drinking. All these things from
the Old Testament law were a shadow (a prefigure or picture) of Jesus Christ
and His ministry which was the substance, or the fulfilment of them (Colossians
2:16, 17). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Hebrews
3 and 4 is a rich passage that explains the excellence and superiority of the
Lord Jesus who is Himself our Sabbath rest. God did not command the Sabbath to
bind man to a law to prove his faithfulness to it. Rather the Sabbath was a
gift. In addition to physical rest for the body one day per week, it also
provided rest for the soul. The Sabbath was a day to give thanks to God, and
extol His character. But how does that give rest to our souls? In living life
day in and day out—especially in ancient times when life was often survival—it would
be easy to fall into the belief that life depended on constant work, striving,
and fear. By setting a day apart for worship of God, His people would be
reminded that it is God alone who gives life and prospers us. The Sabbath was a
reminder not to strive in themselves, but to trust the Lord for their salvation
and their survival.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">But
the Sabbath was not just one day a week. The feasts were also considered
Sabbaths. Additionally, every seven years was declared a Sabbath year of rest
for the land and cancellation of debt, and after seven cycles of seven years,
an entire year of rest was celebrated as Jubilee. (<a href="http://justasimplesheep.blogspot.com/search?q=Jubilee" target="_blank">See here</a>.) During these
times, the Israelites would have to depend on God to sustain them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Hebrews 3 and 4 explains that entering the
Promised Land was also a rest that God provided for the Israelites. When the
people refused to listen to the good report from Joshua and Caleb who trusted
in God’s promise of victory in Canaan, God was angered by their unbelief. The
Israelites looked at themselves: they were small in size, their army small and
untrained. Though they experienced mighty deliverance from the slavery of
Pharaoh, and saw the Lord perform spectacular miracles for them, they refused
to have faith for His provision in Canaan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Hebrews
explains that in the same way the Israelites refused their “Sabbath rest” in
Canaan, they also refused their rest in the Lord Jesus Christ. That is exactly
the problem that the Pharisees were facing from our reading today. Jesus
Himself is Lord of the Sabbath loving mercy over judgment—loving a man by
healing him and giving him true rest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Good
works, keeping Old Testament laws including Sabbath and feasts, self-esteem,
modern psychological systems, laws/principles/keys/secrets, etc. for better leadership/relationships/self-awareness, etc. —all of these become our own efforts at pleasing
God or striving for self-improvement. Not only are these efforts ineffective,
they are actually a rejection of God’s means of grace through faith in the Lord Jesus.
We have no “rightness” of our own or in our own sef-efforts. We can only rest in Jesus’ righteousness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div>
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="ftn1">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Note:
Much of the Harmony readings will be pieced together like a puzzle putting the
four Gospels together into one narrative. I am copying the order or format from
<i>A Simplified Harmony of the Gospels,</i>
George W. Wright, Holman Bible Publishers, 2001. However, I am using the New
King James rather than the HCSB. This order is from the research of Wright and
is open to discussion. Of course, you can also read the passages side by side
separately if you prefer.</span><span style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/A%20Terri's%20Desk/Blog%20entries/4%20Gospels%2050-59.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Not
to be confused with Lord Sabaoth which means Lord of Hosts. Sabaoth and Sabbath
are two different Hebrew words. (See Isaiah 5:16, Romans 9:29, James 5:4)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315989646112641205.post-90469573182277039842014-05-22T06:00:00.000-04:002014-05-22T07:32:57.664-04:00Il Silenzio-Remember!Recently, I received an email with the video of a trumpet solo played by a 13-year old girl. The music is beautiful, but the Wikipedia article accompanying it set my mind to thinking.<br />
<br />
This weekend we celebrate those who gave their lives for the freedom of others. Jesus had something to say about that, "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) We know that ultimately, it is the Lord Jesus Himself who laid down His life for our salvation. But Jesus' words are just as true for those who sacrificed their own goals, joys, and lives for those who may never know them and for those who will forget them.<br />
<br />
I thought about that as I listened to this beautiful piece--the original rendition of what we know as "Taps". Maybe it's just the music that put me in this frame of mind, but it made me sad to think about the reason that this piece is played. It should remind us of the
dangers of tyranny and the ugly cruelty of unbridled power. In this
case, the Dutch remember their struggle against the forces of Hitler. Then I thought about how today's generation is largely ignorant of the reality of that sad history. Today's pop culture glorifies self with self-esteem philosophies, "selfie" photos, and the false promises of our "best life now". The demand for instant gratification fueled by technology that delivers it makes us ripe for a false deliverer or a false messiah who will promise peace and prosperity to all, just as the youth of Germany fell for the promises of the Fuhrer. It is a seductive anesthesia that numbs us.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I also thought about a very different trumpet solo--one that I eagerly wait to hear. This one will not call the darkness of night, but will announce the brightness of the coming <a href="http://justasimplesheep.blogspot.com/2013/09/dayspring.html" target="_blank">of Dayspring from on high</a>. Now that is something to celebrate! (Scroll your cursor over these verses to read the promises
of God) Matthew 24:20-31, 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 2 Thessalonians 2:8, Revelation
1:7, Philippians 2:9-11</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
May you be blessed as you read the story and listen to the music. And remember. Remember.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">"Il
Silenzio (song)" is a memorial piece commissioned by the Dutch and first
played in 1965 on the 20th anniversary of Holland's liberation.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">In
a cemetery about six miles from the Dutch city of Maastricht lie buried 8,301
American soldiers who died in "Operation Market Garden" in the
battles to liberate Holland in the fall and winter of 1944-5. Every one of the
men buried in the cemetery, as well as those in the Canadian and British
military cemeteries has been adopted by a Dutch family who tend the grave and
keep alive the memory of the soldier they have adopted. It is the custom to
keep a portrait of "their" American soldier in a place of honour in
their home. Annually on "Liberation Day", Memorial Services are held
for "the men who died to liberate Holland." The day concludes with a
concert, at which "Il Silenzio" has always been the concluding piece.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">In
2008 the soloist was a 13-year-old Dutch girl, Melissa Venema, backed by André
Rieu and the Royal Orchestra of the Netherlands. (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Market_Garden" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/H4l3Rgq-L1M?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315989646112641205.post-54884644733588246302014-05-18T06:00:00.000-04:002014-05-18T06:00:01.699-04:00Jesus Proclaims His Deity: Four Witnesses<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">This
post concludes Jesus’ response to the Jews (Pharisees) for the charge against
healing the invalid man on the Sabbath. I have posted the entire discussion,
but broke it into three segments. As always, to properly discuss Scripture, we
must keep it in context, so I encourage you to read the entire passage each
posting. Of course, the first 15 verses of John 5 are also part of the context
because the healing of the invalid man is what instigates the following
encounter with the Jews. So keep all this in mind as you read.</span>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">The
Passage</span></u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">16</span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">
For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He
had done these things on the Sabbath. <sup>17</sup>But Jesus answered them, “My
Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">18</span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Therefore
the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the
Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. <sup>19</sup>Then
Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do
nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the
Son also does in like manner. <sup>20</sup>For the Father loves the Son, and
shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works
than these, that you may marvel. <sup>21</sup>For as the Father raises the dead
and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. <sup>22</sup>For
the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, <sup>23</sup>that
all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor
the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">24</span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">“Most
assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me
has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from
death into life. <sup>25</sup>Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming,
and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who
hear will live. <sup>26</sup>For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has
granted the Son to have life in Himself, <sup>27</sup>and has given Him
authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. <sup>28</sup>Do
not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves
will hear His voice <sup>29</sup>and come forth—those who have done good, to
the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of
condemnation. <sup>30</sup>I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and
My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the
Father who sent Me.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">31 </span></sup></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">If I bear witness of Myself,
My witness is not true. <sup>32</sup>There is another who bears witness of Me,
and I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is true. <sup>33</sup>You
have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. <sup>34</sup>Yet I do
not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you may be saved. <sup>35</sup>He
was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in
his light. <sup>36</sup>But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works
which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness
of Me, that the Father has sent Me. <sup>37</sup>And the Father Himself, who
sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor
seen His form. <sup>38</sup>But you do not have His word abiding in you,
because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. <sup>39</sup>You search the
Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they
which testify of Me. <sup>40</sup>But you are not willing to come to Me that
you may have life.</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">41</span></sup></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">“I do not receive honor from
men. <sup>42</sup>But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. <sup>43</sup>I
have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in
his own name, him you will receive. <sup>44</sup>How can you believe, who
receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the
only God? <sup>45</sup>Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father;
there is one who accuses you—Moses, in whom you trust. <sup>46</sup>For if you
believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. <sup>47</sup>But
if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”</span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Explanation,
Observation and Insights</span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Jesus
has defended the Sabbath healing to the Pharisees by declaring His equality
with God the Father. He revealed His relationship to God as Son, and then
declared that His authority was given to Him by God. Now Jesus concludes His
argument with final evidence. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">In a
court of law, a defendant must produce witnesses to corroborate or confirm his
testimony. His case cannot be proven on his word alone. Jesus does the same,
and produces four witnesses.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">John
the Baptizer: Just like today, there were people in Jesus' day who claimed to be
the Messiah—Christ. Jesus would have been seen as just as loony as the rest,
except that God sent a forerunner, John, to prepare the people for Jesus’ coming
just like the prophets said would happen. But Jesus does not count John as His
proof. He uses John in the list for the sake of the Pharisees. John is just a
man; Jesus has more authoritative witnesses.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">The
works: So far Jesus has turned water into wine (a Messianic indicator), healed
a nobleman’s son, made a lame man walk and healed on the Sabbath. John the
apostle later says that all the books in the world could not contain the
glorious works that Jesus did. We have only what is revealed in Scripture, and
that is enough. Of course, we know that Jesus will do many more amazing
miracles, and that is the point. He has emphasized to these unbelieving Jews
that all His works will attest to His Lordship. The greatest work of all will be
His cross-work, which He alluded to earlier in His argument (vss. 20-24) when
God raises Christ from the dead, thus providing eternal life to all who
believe.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">God:
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some commentators see Jesus’ naming three
witnesses. They combine God and the Word into one witness—God through the
Scriptures. Others see four stating that the voice of God refers to Jesus’
baptism in Matthew 3:17, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">The
Scriptures: The New Testament was not yet written. When Jesus speaks of the Scriptures,
He is specifically referring to the Pentateuch or “The Law” (the first five
books of the Bible written by Moses). After Jesus rose from the dead, He walked
with two unnamed believers on the road to Emmaus.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315989646112641205#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a>
During that discussion, Jesus showed Himself to them through the Scriptures. It
is said that we can find Jesus on every page of Scripture. He is the mystery
hidden in the Old Testament, but now revealed<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315989646112641205#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[2]</span></span></span></span></a>.
If they were blind to it before, these keepers of the law now have the truth
revealed to them. They could have searched the Scriptures diligently to see if
what Jesus said were true, but they refused to come to Him so that they could
have life. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Jesus
laid out His defense arguing from the least to the greatest. God’s written word
is the final and ultimate revelation of His will and character; He magnifies
His Word above His name (Psalm 138:2). The central theme of the Bible from “In
the beginning...” (Genesis 1:1) to the last “Amen” of Revelation 22:21 is the
Lord Jesus Christ. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">The
Bible is God’s revelation of Himself to us, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. Hebrews
1:1, 2, “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to
the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son,
whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;
who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and
upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged
our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high...” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">This
One who gave Himself to me in salvation, continues to give me His righteousness
as I walk in obedience to His grace and mercy. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Oh, the depth of the riches both of the
wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways
past finding out!”</i> What possible revelation can be greater than this? What
other revelation can command my attention? Is it even possible to exhaust the
incomparable riches of Christ’s fullness revealed to us in the pages of
Scripture? What a blessed gift we have! What a marvelous treasure to spend our
lives searching through!</span></div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315989646112641205#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">one is
later referred to as Cleopas</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315989646112641205#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[2]</span></span></span></span></a>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Ephesians
3:3-5,</span> <span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">1 Timothy 3:16</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315989646112641205.post-57402318009296482792014-05-16T00:50:00.004-04:002014-05-17T10:01:03.742-04:00Jesus Proclaims His Deity: Authority with the Father<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Note: This is the second of three post. we are looking at Jesus’ response to the Jews
(Pharisees) for the charge against healing the invalid man on the Sabbath. I’ll
be posting the entire discussion, but will break it into three segments. As
always, to properly discuss Scripture, we must keep it in context, so I
encourage you to read the entire passage each posting. Of course, the first 15
verses of John 5 are also part of the context because the healing of the
invalid man is what instigates the following encounter with the Jews. So keep
all this in mind as you read.</span>
<br />
<div class="WordSection1">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">The
Passage</span></u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">16
For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He
had done these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father
has been working until now, and I have been working.”</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">18
Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke
the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with
God. 19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you,
the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever
He does, the Son also does in like manner. 20 For the Father loves the Son, and
shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works
than these, that you may marvel. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">21 For
as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives
life to whom He will. 22 For the Father judges no one, but has committed all
judgment to the Son, 23 that all should honor the Son just as they honor the
Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.</b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">24 “Most assuredly, I say to
you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life,
and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. 25 Most
assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will
hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. 26 For as the
Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself,
27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son
of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are
in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth—those who have done good,
to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection
of condemnation. 30 I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My
judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the
Father who sent Me.</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">31
“If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true. 32 There is another who
bears witness of Me, and I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is
true. 33 You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34 Yet I
do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you may be
saved. 35 He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time
to rejoice in his light. 36 But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the
works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear
witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. 37 And the Father Himself, who sent
Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen
His form. 38 But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent,
Him you do not believe. 39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you
have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40 But you are not
willing to come to Me that you may have life.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">41
“I do not receive honor from men. 42 But I know you, that you do not have the
love of God in you. 43 I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive
Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. 44 How can you
believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that
comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father;
there is one who accuses you—Moses, in whom you trust. 46 For if you believed
Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. 47 But if you do not
believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Explanation,
Observations and Insights</span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">After
healing the invalid man on the Sabbath, Jesus was confronted by the Pharisees
for breaking the Sabbath. His defense was to declare His deity. Just as God the
Father continues to work on the Sabbath, so Jesus works (v. 17). The two works
that the Jews recognized that God continued to do on the Sabbath was to give
life in birth and judgment in death, for babies continued to be born and people
died on the Sabbath. Jesus declared that the Father has now given Him authority
over life and death.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">When
Jesus met with Nicodemus in John 3, He said, “He who believes in Him is not
condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not
believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” Does John 3:18
contradict John 5? Not at all! Mankind is already condemned; we are born separated
from God, spiritually dead in our trespasses and sins according to Romans 5:12
and Ephesians 5:21. While our physical bodies live here on earth, Jesus stands
between us and separation from God for eternity. In fact, in John 1:18, Jesus
declares that He is the one who holds the keys of death and Hell. We have this
time on earth to turn to Jesus for life. At the moment of our death, the
judgment will be finalized. If believe Jesus, His words, His cross-work...we
are passed from death to life and will never experience judgment. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Compare
these similar passages, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">John 3:36,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not
believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">John 5:24 “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears
My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not
come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.</i>”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">1 John 5:11-13,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> “And this is the testimony: that God has
given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has
life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I
have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may
know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the
name of the Son of God.”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Colossians 1:13, 14,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> “He [God] has delivered us from the power
of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we
have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">When
we put all the Scriptures together and compare them, we can come to the truth
about who grants eternal life. Pulling Scriptures together in such a way is
called Systematic Theology. In this case we conclude that it is both the Father
and the Son who grant everlasting life. The Scriptures support one another to prove
Jesus’ Godhood. He is God the Son. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">And
what a glorious truth this is! “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Most
assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will
hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live</i>.” (vs. 25) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was once dead in my trespasses and sins. I
heard the voice of the Word of God and believed; now I live! I can <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>know</u></i></b>
beyond any shadow of doubt because I have the sure testimony of the Father and
the Son. Hallelujah! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For as the Father has life in Himself, so He
has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to
execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man...” </i>Commentator David
Guzik explains<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">“None of us has life inherent
in ourselves. Our life is derived from our parents, and the fragile environment
around us. Jesus claimed that His life was derived from no one; it is inherent
and uncreated. Theologians call this quality of self-existence <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">aseity</b> and recognize that God alone
possesses it.”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315989646112641205#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Jesus
continues to explain that God has granted Him authority to execute judgment.
And He is uniquely qualified to judge because He is the Son of Man. Because He
lived in human flesh and was tempted in all points just like us, yet without
sin (Hebrews 4:15), no one will be able to accuse Jesus as unjust. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One day a final judgment will occur. The Jews
understood this coming event as “The Resurrection”. They knew that God would
judge in the resurrection. They understood completely that Jesus was declaring
equality with the Father, and this was blasphemy. </span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Jesus
declaration incited them to plot His murder. What was so clear and condemnatory
to the Jews often elicits little more than a yawn to many of us today. As a
believer, the truth of Jesus’ statements should so enrapture me, that I should
not be able to contain it. My lack of sharing the Gospel of salvation is proof
that I do not understand the reality of judgment.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">The
same Jesus, who we declare loves the world, is the same Jesus who will judge
it. He showed His love by receiving the judgment of death in our place to atone
for sin. (Romans 5:8) He alone is worthy of granting life to those who believe,
and executing judgment on those who reject Him. He alone is worthy of my
praise!</span></div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315989646112641205#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">http://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide_Jhn/Jhn_5.cfm?a=1002024</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315989646112641205.post-58418896677054255282014-05-08T23:04:00.000-04:002014-05-15T22:36:01.016-04:00Jesus Proclaims His Deity: Relationship to the Father<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Note:
For the next three posts, we’ll be looking at Jesus’ response to the Jews
(Pharisees) for the charge against healing the invalid man on the Sabbath. I’ll
be posting the entire discussion, but will break it into three segments. As
always, to properly discuss Scripture, we must keep it in context, so I
encourage you to read the entire passage with each post. Of course, the first 15
verses of John 5 are also part of the context because the healing of the
invalid man is what instigates the following encounter with the Jews. So keep
all this in mind as you read.</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">The
Passage</span></u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">John 5:16-47 </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">16 For this reason the Jews
persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on
the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now,
and I have been working.”</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">18 Therefore the Jews sought
all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said
that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. 19 Then Jesus answered
and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of
Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also
does in like manner. 20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things
that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you
may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even
so the Son gives life to whom He will. 22 For the Father judges no one, but has
committed all judgment to the Son, 23 that all should honor the Son just as
they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father
who sent Him.</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">24
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent
Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from
death into life. 25 Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now
is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear
will live. 26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son
to have life in Himself, 27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment
also, because He is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is
coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come
forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have
done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. 30 I can of Myself do nothing.
As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own
will but the will of the Father who sent Me.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">31
“If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true. 32 There is another who
bears witness of Me, and I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is
true. 33 You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34 Yet I
do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you may be
saved. 35 He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time
to rejoice in his light. 36 But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the
works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear
witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. 37 And the Father Himself, who sent
Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen
His form. 38 But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent,
Him you do not believe. 39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you
have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40 But you are not
willing to come to Me that you may have life.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">41
“I do not receive honor from men. 42 But I know you, that you do not have the
love of God in you. 43 I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive
Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. 44 How can you
believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that
comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father;
there is one who accuses you—Moses, in whom you trust. 46 For if you believed
Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. 47 But if you do not
believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Explanation
</span></u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Context.
Context. Context. To rightly interpret Scripture (2 Timothy 2:15) we must be
diligent to be faithful to its context. John 5:16-47 is Jesus’ response to the
Jews’ charge against breaking the Sabbath by healing the invalid man and
commanding him to pick up his bedding and walk.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315989646112641205#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a>
Jesus gives only one argument for His defense and that is His deity: He
declares equality with God. The first section (vv. 16-23) is Jesus explaining His
relationship to the Father. The second section declares His authority with the
Father (vv. 24-30). In the last section, Jesus defends His deity by four faithful
witnesses (vv 31-47).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">The
fourth commandment is to remember the Sabbath Day and to keep it holy. God
commanded that violating the Sabbath was punishable by death. The Sabbath issue
was rightfully very important to the Jews; however, they had made it unbearable
by adding their own traditions from the oral law. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Father has been working until now, and I
have been working...</i>” No work was to be done on the Sabbath, but Jesus
declared that as God the Father continues to “work”, so also the Son continues
to work. Psalm 121:4 states that God neither slumbers nor sleeps as He keeps
watch over Israel. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">“Therefore the Jews sought all
the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that
God was His Father, making Himself equal with God...” </span></i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Jesus’ claim was blasphemous
to these Jews and that incited them to begin to plot His murder.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do
nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the
Son also does in like manner...</i>” Jesus statement is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">descriptive</b>, not <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">prescriptive</b>.
Jesus is describing His relationship to the Father in the context of His deity—His
Godhood. Within this context, Jesus is not prescribing or giving instruction to
us that we must do the same thing that He does.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Jesus
then specifically tells us what the “work” is that He sees the Father do: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For as the Father raises the dead and gives
life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.</i>” This is the
greater work that is described<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">: “...He
will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.</i>”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">“...</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">For as the Father raises the
dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. For
the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son...</span></i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">” Notice that Jesus states
that He Himself will judge rather than the Father. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Verses 21-22 refer to two major ‘works’ that
Jews recognized God continued to perform on the Sabbath – giving life (as
children were born) and exercising judgment (as people died).</i>”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315989646112641205#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[2]</span></span></span></span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Observations
and Insights</span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Several
years ago, a popular teaching arose from John 5:19 that just like Jesus saw
what His Father was doing, we also are to watch what God is doing in the world
and join Him. But keeping this passage within its rightful context teaches
exactly the opposite. Only Jesus could do that because the Son is in the Father; the
Father is in the Son; they are one. (John 17) It is not as if Jesus is looking
and watching God do something and then copying Him. The Father and the Son have
perfect equality and unity of nature. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Another
popular teaching current today is that Jesus did all His works (miracles) as a
man filled with the Holy Spirit; therefore, we also can (in fact, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">must</i></b>)
be filled with the Spirit to do everything that Jesus did. Reading this passage
in its context refutes both of these teachings. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">We
cannot be in the Father as Jesus was to do miracles today because Jesus in fact
is God in flesh as a man, the Son. The greater “work” that Jesus is proclaiming
here-within context-is His authority to give eternal life which He would ultimately purchase on
the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is His “cross-work”.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Of
course we most certainly must obey Jesus’ command to preach the Gospel and make
disciples. Doing so requires that we give of ourselves, serving, teaching, and
doing a variety of good works to glorify God. However, requiring believers to
somehow “see God” doing things to determine where and how to minister in order
to guarantee success is a great misinterpretation of this passage. It creates a
great spiritual burden to “see” or “hear” God, and creates condemnation when an
effort fails or we see no fruit. Additionally, it causes believers to make
judgment calls as to whether God is “doing something” in a particular situation
or working in an individual’s heart. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">I am a
simple sheep just like those I serve. I know that my own heart is deceitful
above all and desperately wicked. It yearns for “self” to be validated and
affirmed even when I am wrong. No one can know the heart of another; we can
only know our own hearts. (1 Corinthians 2:11). We put ourselves in a very
dangerous place when we claim that we can see what God is doing in others’
hearts.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">We
honor the Father and the Son when we believe and proclaim His Word. May we
never cease to marvel at the greatest work that Jesus did on our behalf to
purchase our salvation. </span></div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315989646112641205#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">This
is followed by two more incidents in which Jesus challenges the Sabbath rules
(Matthew 12:1-14).</span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315989646112641205#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[2]</span></span></span></span></a>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Blomberg,
Craig. <i><u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The Historical Reliability of
John’s Gospel</span></u></i>. 2001, InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL; p.
114 as quoted at: http://notunlikelee.wordpress.com/2011/12/17/greater-works-shall-you-do/comment-page-1/#comment-12104</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315989646112641205.post-48779260348989377602014-05-02T05:15:00.000-04:002014-05-02T05:19:46.147-04:00Another Betrayal<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">The
Passage</span></u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">John
5:1-16</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">After
this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there
is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda,
having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind,
lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For an angel went down at a certain time into
the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the
stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Now
a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that
he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want
to be made well?”</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">The
sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the
water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Jesus
said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">And
that day was the Sabbath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Jews
therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for
you to carry your bed.”</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">He
answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">”</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Then
they asked him, “Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and
walk’?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the one who was healed did
not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and
said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing
come upon you.”</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">The
man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.</span></i>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">For
this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had
done these things on the Sabbath.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">A
Little Background</span></u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">We
don’t know which feast is mentioned here. Either the Passover (Spring) or the
Feast of Tabernacles (Fall) could be the occasion of Jesus’ being in Jerusalem.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Some
Explanation</span></u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">According
to modern archeology, the pool at Bethesda was likely a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mikveh</i>, which was a bath for ritual cleansing before coming to the
temple for worship (see <a href="http://justasimplesheep.blogspot.com/2013/11/baptism.html" target="_blank">here</a>). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">The
belief regarding the angel’s stirring up of the water is a mystery. Some Greek
manuscripts do not contain verse 4, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For
an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water;
then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well
of whatever disease he had.” </i>However, without verse 4, verse 7 has no
context, “...<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sir, I have no man to put me
into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another
steps down before me.</i>”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">There
is no additional Biblical information about the phenomenon of the angel stirring
up the water. Also, there is apparently no extra-Biblical (evidence from
literature outside of the Bible or non-Biblical) research about what might have
been happening either. Regardless of what was happening in the pool and the
activity of the people, the problem of this invalid man is the focus of Jesus’
miracle.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Observations
and Insights</span></u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">As I
read this account, I can imagine the man’s plight. How many other sick are
clamoring and pushing to be first to get to the water? How often had he tried
previously to get to the water? He has had his infirmity for 38 years. Surely
he felt hopeless. I wonder why he had no friends to help him like the paralytic
of Capernaum who was let down through the roof, yet somehow, he got to the
pool. I noticed that he never replied to Jesus’ question, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Do you want to be made well?</i>” Instead, he equivocates and makes an
excuse for himself, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“...Sir, I have no
man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am
coming, another steps down before me.</i>”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Without
any affirmation of the man’s faith Jesus heals the him and tells him to take up
his bedding and quickly slips away. When the man picks up his bedding, the Jews
(Pharisees) are right there, quick to charge him with “working” on the Sabbath.
The once invalid, now healed man, deflects responsibility on Jesus.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315989646112641205#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Later
when Jesus found the man at the temple and revealed Himself as the one who
healed him, He told the man, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sin no
more, lest a worse thing come upon you.</i>” This alludes to the possibility
that the cause of the man’s infirmity was some kind of sin. So what did this
man do? Did he fall at Jesus’ feet and worship Him or even thank Him for
virtually giving him a whole new life after 38 years of being ill? No, instead
he took those newly strengthened legs straight to the Jews and told them that
it was Jesus who healed him, thus facilitating the Jews to look for a time to
kill Jesus. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Betrayal!
I confess that I found it difficult to put my thoughts about this passage into
writing. The actions of the healed man are troubling to me. Some commentators
gave the man a “pass” regarding his telling the Jews who healed him. Their
reason is that the Jews were very powerful and the man could have feared
reprisal. That is a possibility, but I am still irked by what he did. To me, he
betrayed his healer, and I think that the clue is in Jesus’ command to him at
the temple, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sin no more, lest a worse
thing come upon you.</i>” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Was
the invalid man offended by Jesus command? Did Jesus’ comment reveal the depth
of his heart? Jeremiah 17:9 tells us that our hearts are deceitful above all
and desperately wicked. How many times have I wanted something changed in my
life for the sake of my own selfish desires? I often pray for financial needs
to be met—but to what end? ...So that I can spend more on myself? And if I were
healed of my ailment, would I continue in my poor health choices? And in doing
these things, am I not just as guilty of betraying the one who healed me as
this invalid man seemed to be?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Jesus
knew the man’s heart and the ultimate result, yet He healed him anyway. Jesus
knew the heart of Judas, yet He chose him to be part of the twelve. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“...but God shows his love for us in that
while we were still sinners, Christ died for us</i>.” Yes, the actions of the
man make me angry, but in truth, I am that invalid man. I do not deserve Jesus’
sacrifice for me. My heart was alienated from Him; I was His enemy. Yet He died
in my place when I was unable to atone for my own sin. He is deserving of a
heart that is submitted to Him, that allows Him to search out my own selfish
desires. May we each crucify our selfish flesh so that we may follow Him in
true devotion, that our lives would be blameless. May we give no opportunity
for reproach or betrayal to the One who bought us.</span></div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315989646112641205#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">This
reminds me of Adam and Eve in the Garden when God asked them why they were
hiding. Adam said, “The woman You gave me, she gave me...”</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315989646112641205.post-44536184202899599342014-04-21T09:00:00.004-04:002014-05-02T09:14:38.018-04:00Fasting, Fabric, and Wine<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">The
Passage</span></u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Matthew
9:14-17; Mark 2:18-22; Luke 5:33-39<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315989646112641205#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-indent: .25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">The
disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting. Then they came and said to
Him, “Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but Your
disciples do not fast?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-indent: .25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">And
He said to them, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while the
bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be
taken away from them; then they will fast in those days.”</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-indent: .25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Then
He spoke a parable to them: “No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old
one; otherwise the new makes a tear, and also the piece that was taken out of
the new does not match the old. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or
else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins
will be ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are
preserved. And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he
says, ‘The old is better.’</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">A
Little Background</span></u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Fasting
is abstaining from food for a set period of time. In the Old Testament, fasting
was done on the Day of Atonement, during times of crisis as in the time of
Esther, and in times of mourning. Through the prophet Isaiah, God told the
Israelites that He hated their fasts because their hearts were not toward Him.
He told them that when they fasted they should “afflict their souls”. John’s
disciples were fasting for the purpose of repentance—afflicting their souls. The
Jews had also adopted the practice of fasting twice a week (Luke 18:12) on
Mondays and Thursdays. It is likely that the occasion of this passage is on one
of those days. The Pharisees fasted to be seen by others as a show of their
religious fervor.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Some
Explanation</span></u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Can you make the friends of
the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them?... </span></i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">In Bible times, a Jewish
wedding included a feast and a long celebration lasting as much as a week or
more. It was a time of joy, not a time of mourning. Jesus identified Himself as
the bridegroom as a picture of Christ’s relationship to believers and a future
time when the church will be joined with Him in heaven as a bride. (Revelation 19)
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></span></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">And no one puts new wine into
old wineskins...</span></i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">
Wineskins were made of leather (often goat skin) and were sealed with some kind
of resin to keep liquid from seeping through. Wines were a </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-z8iGA20MaO14qtW1-Xw6-w1cQJoqipnPgbZVcLq3wBjYT3B-8FvVZIwUVbolyg3s75PMQJtFh6TSB0MQP5jxGabUZC8jWYuvR3Yn0dlhrKcNjJ5Wdf8teE_euwpAcaOBrx67tfbnMEc/s1600/a+wineskin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-z8iGA20MaO14qtW1-Xw6-w1cQJoqipnPgbZVcLq3wBjYT3B-8FvVZIwUVbolyg3s75PMQJtFh6TSB0MQP5jxGabUZC8jWYuvR3Yn0dlhrKcNjJ5Wdf8teE_euwpAcaOBrx67tfbnMEc/s1600/a+wineskin.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
fermented
liquid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the skins became old, they
lost suppleness. They could burst under the pressure of fermentation.
Therefore, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">new</i> wine put into <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">old</i> wineskins would be risky. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></span></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Observations
and Insights</span></u><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">The
three topics that Jesus brings together here: fasting, fabric, and wine all
have a common theme. They all represent pictures of the old form of worship
contrasted with the new. Jesus had come to establish a new covenant, not based
on Law, but in the new life that His death burial and resurrection would bring.
The Jews had adopted fasting twice a week as a religious ritual. They exalted
their ability to strictly keep the Law to gain God’s favor. Jesus had come to present
Himself as the righteous fulfilment of the Law and establish Himself as the
only way to relationship to God the Father. He would fulfill God’s promise of
turning hearts of stone that could not keep the law perfectly, into hearts of
flesh that would desire to live in God’s ways.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">New
fabric sewn onto old cloth is not practical. The new is stronger, the old is
weak. When the garment is washed, the new will pull away. Likewise, when new
wine is poured into old wineskins, the new wine will burst the old skin. Jesus
did not come to update or improve the old system. It would be abolished, because
He would now fulfill it, bringing in a completely new and better covenant.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">This
challenge by the Jews and Jesus’ explanation is an important foundation for the
next three events in Jesus’ ministry when Jesus will be confronted by the Jews
for breaking Sabbath laws. Jesus will heal a lame man and command him to carry
his bed (work that was supposedly forbidden on the Sabbath), pick grain, and
heal another man’s crippled hand—all on the Sabbath.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">The
context is clear—Jesus is defying the Jews’ distorted laws and declaring that
the old <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">law-keeping regime</i> will be
done away with. But don’t misunderstand the importance of the Law. The law of
God is perfect, converting the soul, Psalm 19 tells us. In the Old Testament,
the law was also equated with God’s Word, His judgments, testimonies,
ordinances, commandments, etc. (Psalm 119). God’s law shows us God’s character.
The truth is that we cannot keep the law and thus cannot by our own effort earn
our way back to God’s favor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The value
of the law is that it shows us our failure and leads us to call on the Lord for
mercy and salvation. When we receive Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf, the Holy
Spirit comes to us and lives in each Christian to cause us to desire God’s
ways. This is what is meant by Ezekiel 36:26, 27 “I will give you a new heart
and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your
flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause
you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do [them].</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">But
we so often default to the old, just as Jesus said, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he
says, ‘The old is better.’ ”</i> It can be hard to let go of our own self
effort. Self likes a show; it loves for others to see how proficient it is.
Just as the Pharisees added to the law by requiring more burdensome proofs of
religious fervor, we also subtly add requirements to our faith. Our zeal can
easily turn to religious pride. For as much as we hate Pharisee-ism, we are so
dangerously close when we turn worship into formula, when we take one
millisecond to look at self rather than subjecting self to supremacy of the
Lord Jesus.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Jesus
declared Himself to be the focus of worship. It sometimes seems so trite to say
that “Jesus is the answer.” But truly the more that I read the Word, study it,
and keep my heart’s focus on it, the more I am satisfied in just Him. I pray
that as we continue in our Harmony reading again that you will also find your
joy and fullness in Him.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";"><a href="http://justasimplesheep.blogspot.com/2014/05/another-betrayal.html" target="_blank">Next</a>: John 5:1-16</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315989646112641205#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Note:
Much of the Harmony readings will be pieced together like a puzzle putting the
four Gospels together into one narrative. I am copying the order or format from
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Simplified Harmony of the Gospels,</i>
George W. Wright, Holman Bible Publishers, 2001. However, I am using the New
King James rather than the HCSB. This order is from the research of Wright and
is open to discussion. Of course, you can also read the passages side by side
separately if you prefer.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315989646112641205.post-39683802213265981482014-04-20T16:21:00.000-04:002014-04-20T16:21:02.964-04:00Back In Harmony<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">We’ll
be picking up our reading again in the Harmony of the Gospels since our break
for the Resurrection season. If you are new to this blog and have never read
the Gospels in chronological order (in harmony), I encourage you to begin at “<a href="http://justasimplesheep.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html" target="_blank">Getting Started</a>”. Our next reading will be Matthew 9:14-17; Mark 2:18-22; Luke 5:33-39,
“Fasting, Fabric, and Wine”.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif";">Much
of the Harmony readings will be pieced together like a puzzle putting the four
Gospels together into one narrative. I am copying the order or format from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Simplified Harmony of the Gospels,</i>
George W. Wright, Holman Bible Publishers, 2001. However, I am using the New
King James rather than the HCSB. This order is from the research of Wright and
is open to discussion. Of course, you can also read the passages side by side
separately if you prefer.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315989646112641205.post-43220813785804785112014-04-20T06:00:00.001-04:002014-04-20T07:05:47.046-04:00Up From the Grave He Arose!<div class="MsoNormal">
Matthew 28:1-15; Mark 16:1-11; Luke 24:1-12; John 1:1-18<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315989646112641205#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a> </div>
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And behold, there was a great
earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled
back the stone from the door, and sat on it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His countenance was like lightning, and his
clothing as white as snow. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the
guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
Now when the Sabbath was past, very
early in the morning, on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene, Mary the
mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him.
And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of
the tomb for us?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when they looked
up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
Then they went in and did not
find the body of the Lord Jesus. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it
happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood
by them in shining garments.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
Then, as they were afraid and
bowed their faces to the earth. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You
seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as
He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Remember how He spoke to you
when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into
the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">”</span> And they remembered His words. So they went out
quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples
word.</div>
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Then they returned from the tomb
and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was Mary <span id="goog_1801547686"></span><span id="goog_1801547687"></span>Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother
of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And their words seemed to them like idle
tales, and they did not believe them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://static-www.icr.org/i/articles/af/impact_empty_tomb_wide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://static-www.icr.org/i/articles/af/impact_empty_tomb_wide.jpg" height="113" width="320" /></a></div>
Peter therefore went out, and the
other disciple, and were going to the tomb. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So they both ran together, and the other
disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the
linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went
into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and the handkerchief that had been around His
head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by
itself. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the other disciple, who
came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For as yet they did not know the Scripture,
that He must rise again from the dead. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the disciples went away again to their
own homes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
But Mary stood outside by the
tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And she saw two angels in white sitting, one
at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you
weeping?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
She said to them, “Because they
have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now when she had said this, she turned around
and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you
weeping? Whom are you seeking?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
She, supposing Him to be the
gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You
have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus said to her, “Mary!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
She turned and said to Him,“Rabboni!”
(which is to say, Teacher).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I
have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I
am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples
that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
So they went out quickly from the
tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as they went to tell His disciples, behold,
Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and
worshiped Him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Jesus said to them,
“Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they
will see Me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now while they were going, behold, some of the
guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that
had happened. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they had assembled
with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the
soldiers, saying, “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away
while we slept.’ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if this comes to
the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So they took the money and did as they were
instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.</div>
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<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315989646112641205#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Note:
Much of the Harmony readings will be pieced together like a puzzle putting the
four Gospels together into one narrative. I am copying the order or format from
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Simplified Harmony of the Gospels,</i>
George W. Wright, Holman Bible Publishers, 2001. However, I am using the New
King James rather than the HCSB. This order is from the research of Wright and
is open to discussion. Of course, you can also read the passages side by side
separately if you prefer.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315989646112641205.post-44642388936453857382014-04-19T06:00:00.000-04:002014-04-19T06:00:07.123-04:00In the Tomb<div class="MsoNormal">
John19:31-37; Matthew 27:57-66; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56;
John 19:38-42<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315989646112641205#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Therefore, because it was the
Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath
(for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might
be broken, and that they might be taken away. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of
the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when they came to Jesus and saw that He
was already dead, they did not break His legs. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But one of the soldiers pierced His side with
a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he who has seen has testified, and his
testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may
believe. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For these things were done that
the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And again another Scripture says, “They shall
look on Him whom they pierced.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Now when evening had come, because
it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of
Arimathea, a prominent council member, a good and just man, who was himself
waiting for the kingdom of God, who had not consented to their decision and
deed, a disciple of Jesus—but secretly, for fear of the Jews—asked Pilate that
he might take away the body of Jesus.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Pilate marveled that He was
already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for
some time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So when he found out from the
centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. So he came and took the body of
Jesus.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
And Nicodemus, who at first came
to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a
hundred pounds. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then they took the body
of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the
Jews is to bury. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now in the place where
He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no
one had yet been laid. So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’
Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
And Mary Magdalene and Mary the
mother of Joses, and the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed
after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then they returned and prepared spices and
fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
On the next day, which followed
the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to
Pilate, saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver
said, ‘After three days I will rise.’ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore command that the tomb be made secure
until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and
say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception will be
worse than the first.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go
your way, make it as secure as you know how.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing
the stone and setting the guard.</div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315989646112641205#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Note:
Much of the Harmony readings will be pieced together like a puzzle putting the
four Gospels together into one narrative. I am copying the order or format from
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Simplified Harmony of the Gospels,</i>
George W. Wright, Holman Bible Publishers, 2001. However, I am using the New
King James rather than the HCSB. This order is from the research of Wright and
is open to discussion. Of course, you can also read the passages side by side
separately if you prefer.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315989646112641205.post-31236010490620795052014-04-18T06:00:00.000-04:002014-04-18T06:00:09.418-04:00At the Cross<div class="MsoNormal">
Matthew 27:38-56; Mark 15:27-41; Luke 23:35-49; John 19:25-30<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315989646112641205#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
And many women who followed Jesus
from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar, among whom
were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of
Zebedee’s sons. Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His
mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the
disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your
son!” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then He said to the disciple,
“Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own
home.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
And the people stood looking on.
But even the rulers with them sneered, And those who passed by blasphemed Him,
wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it
in three <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ronepraisecleveland.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/res-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ronepraisecleveland.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/res-2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Then someone ran and filled a
sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Likewise the chief priests also,
mocking with the scribes and elders, said, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If
He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will
believe Him. He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him;
for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Then two robbers were crucified
with Him, one on the right and another on the left. So the Scripture was
fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with the transgressors.” Then one of
the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save
Yourself and us.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
But the other, answering, rebuked
him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same
condemnation? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we indeed justly, for
we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when
You come into Your kingdom.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly,
I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Now from the sixth hour until the
ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with
a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God,
why have You forsaken Me?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of those who stood there, when they heard
that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge,
filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if
Elijah will come to save Him.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After this, Jesus, knowing that all things
were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!”
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now a vessel full of sour wine was
sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and
put it to His mouth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So when Jesus had
received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave
up His spirit.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Then, behold, the veil of the
temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks
were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had
fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection,
they went into the holy city and appeared to many.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So when the centurion and those with him, who
were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they
feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
And the whole crowd who came
together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and
returned.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315989646112641205#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Note:
Much of the Harmony readings will be pieced together like a puzzle putting the
four Gospels together into one narrative. I am copying the order or format from
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Simplified Harmony of the Gospels,</i>
George W. Wright, Holman Bible Publishers, 2001. However, I am using the New
King James rather than the HCSB. This order is from the research of Wright and is
open to discussion. Of course, you can also read the passages side by side
separately if you prefer.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315989646112641205.post-49966693568567408482014-04-17T06:00:00.001-04:002014-04-17T06:00:09.570-04:00Crucifixion<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
Matthew 27:27-37; <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Mark
15:16-26; Luke 23:26-34; John 19:17-24</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
Now as they led Him away, they
laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and
Rufus, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus. And a
great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and
lamented Him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
But Jesus, turning to them, said,
“Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for
your children. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For indeed the days are
coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore,
and breasts which never nursed!’ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then they
will begin ‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover
us!”<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">’</span> For if they do these
things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
And when they had come to the
place called Calvary (the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha),
there they crucified Him. They gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink.
But when He had tasted it, He would not drink.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
Now it was the third hour [9:00
a.m.], and they crucified Him. Sitting down, they kept watch over Him there. Now
Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-indent: 22.5pt;">
JESUS OF
NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
Therefore the chief priests of
the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘He said,
“I am the King of the Jews.”<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">’</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have
written.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the soldiers, when they had crucified
Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also
the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They said therefore among themselves, “Let us
not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scripture might
be fulfilled which says:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
“They divided My garments among
them,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
And for My clothing they cast
lots.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive
them, for they do not know what they do.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315989646112641205.post-69965406333192719172014-04-16T06:40:00.000-04:002014-04-16T06:40:27.972-04:00SentencingMatthew <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">27:15-32;
Mark 15:6-21; Luke 23:13-31; John 18:39-19:</span>16<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315989646112641205#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">[1]</span></span></span></a></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
While [Pilate] was sitting on the
judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just
Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Then Pilate, when he had called
together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>said to them, “You have brought this Man to
me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined Him in your
presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which
you accuse Him; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>no, neither did Herod,
for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done
by Him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will therefore chastise Him
and release Him”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Now at the feast the governor was
accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And at that time they had a notorious prisoner
called Barabbas. Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to
them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called
Christ?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For he knew that they had
handed Him over because of envy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
But the chief priests and elders
persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The governor answered and said to them, “Which
of the two do you want me to release to you?” And they all cried out at once,
saying, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas”—who had been thrown
into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Pilate said to them, “What then
shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
They all said to him, “Let Him be
crucified!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Then the governor said, “Why, what
evil has He done?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
But they cried out all the more,
saying, “Let Him be crucified!” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged
Him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the soldiers twisted a crown of
thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then they said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And
they struck Him with their hands.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Pilate then went out again, and
said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I
find no fault in Him.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Then Jesus came out, wearing the
crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, “Behold the Man!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Therefore, when the chief priests
and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Pilate said to them, “You take Him
and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
The Jews answered him, “We have a
law, and according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son
of God.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Therefore, when Pilate heard that
saying, he was the more afraid, and went again into the Praetorium, and said to
Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. Then Pilate said to
Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify
You, and power to release You?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Jesus answered, “You could have no
power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the
one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
From then on Pilate sought to
release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you let this Man go, you are
not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
When Pilate therefore heard that
saying, he brought Jesus out and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that
is called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now it was the Preparation Day of the
Passover, and about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews, “Behold your
King!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
But they cried out, “Away with
Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
The chief priests answered, “We
have no king but Caesar!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
When Pilate saw that he could not
prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed
his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this
just Person. You see to it.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
And all the people answered and
said, “His blood be on us and on our children.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Then he delivered Him to them to
be crucified. Then they took Jesus and led Him away.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315989646112641205#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Note:
Much of the Harmony readings will be pieced together like a puzzle putting the
four Gospels together into one narrative. I am copying the order or format from
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Simplified Harmony of the Gospels,</i>
George W. Wright, Holman Bible Publishers, 2001. However, I am using the New
King James rather than the HCSB. This order is from the research of Wright and
is open to discussion. Of course, you can also read the passages side by side
separately if you prefer.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315989646112641205.post-22455118439326887752014-04-15T06:00:00.000-04:002014-04-15T06:00:07.555-04:00Pilate and Herod<div class="MsoNormal">
Matthew 27:2, 11-14; Mark 15:1-5, Luke 23:2-12; John 18:28-38<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315989646112641205#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">[1]</span></span></span></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas
to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go
into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the
Passover. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pilate then went out to them
and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
They answered and said to him, “If
He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Then Pilate said to them, “You
take Him and judge Him according to your law.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to
put anyone to death,” that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke,
signifying by what death He would die.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Then Pilate entered the Praetorium
again, called Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Jesus answered him, “Are you
speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your
own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not
of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so
that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from
here.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are
You a king then?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Jesus answered, “You say rightly
that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come
into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the
truth hears My voice.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Pilate said to Him, “What is
truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to
them, “I find no fault in Him at all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
And they began to accuse Him,
saying, “We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay
taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.” And the chief
priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You
not hear how many things they testify against You?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But He answered him not one word, so that the
governor marveled greatly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
But they were the more fierce,
saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from
Galilee to this place.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
When Pilate heard of Galilee, he
asked if the Man were a Galilean. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as
soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod,
who was also in Jerusalem at that time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly
glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many
things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he questioned Him with many words, but He
answered him nothing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the chief
priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Then Herod, with his men of war,
treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and
sent Him back to Pilate. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That very day
Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been
at enmity with each other.</div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315989646112641205#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Note:
Much of the Harmony readings will be pieced together like a puzzle putting the
four Gospels together into one narrative. I am copying the order or format from
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Simplified Harmony of the Gospels,</i>
George W. Wright, Holman Bible Publishers, 2001. However, I am using the New
King James rather than the HCSB. This order is from the research of Wright and
is open to discussion. Of course, you can also read the passages side by side
separately if you prefer.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315989646112641205.post-40733286088732438272014-04-14T06:00:00.000-04:002014-04-14T06:00:10.735-04:00Condemned-Judas Commits Suicide<div class="MsoNormal">
Matthew 27:1,2; Mark 15:1, Luke 22:66-23:1<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315989646112641205#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">[1]</span></span></span></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
As soon as it was day, the elders
of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together and led Him into
their council, saying, “If You are the Christ, tell us.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
But He said to them, “If I tell
you, you will by no means believe. And if I also ask you, you will by no means
answer Me or let Me go. Hereafter the Son of Man will sit on the right hand of
the power of God.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Then they all said, “Are You then
the Son of God?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
So He said to them, “You rightly
say that I am.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
And they said, “What further
testimony do we need? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth.” Then
the whole multitude of them arose, and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and
delivered Him to Pilate.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing
that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces
of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying
innocent blood.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
And they said, “What is that to
us? You see to it!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Then he threw down the pieces of
silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
But the chief priests took the
silver pieces and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury,
because they are the price of blood.” And they consulted together and bought
with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Therefore that field has
been called the Field of Blood to this day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Then was fulfilled what was spoken
by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver,
the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced, and
gave them for the potter’s field, as the LORD directed me.”</div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315989646112641205#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Note:
Much of the Harmony readings will be pieced together like a puzzle putting the
four Gospels together into one narrative. I am copying the order or format from
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Simplified Harmony of the Gospels,</i>
George W. Wright, Holman Bible Publishers, 2001. However, I am using the New
King James rather than the HCSB. This order is from the research of Wright and
is open to discussion. Of course, you can also read the passages side by side
separately if you prefer.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315989646112641205.post-81156740462425423082014-04-13T06:00:00.000-04:002014-04-13T06:00:06.716-04:00Denied<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;">Since we are in the
Resurrection season, we're taking a short break from our regular reading
of the Harmony of the Gospels, to read Jesus' last hours on earth. </span><br />
<br />
Matthew 26:58, 69-75; Mark 14:54, 66-72; Luke 22:54-62; John 18:15-18, 25-27<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315989646112641205#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">[1]</span></span></span></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
And Simon Peter followed Jesus,
and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest,
and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the
other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who
kept the door, and brought Peter in. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the servant girl who kept the door said
to Peter, “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
But he denied it before them all,
saying, “I do not know what you are saying.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
Now the servants and officers who
had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed
themselves. Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they said to
him, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?” One of the servants of
the high priest came... and said, “You also were with Jesus of Nazareth.” But
Peter said, “Man, I am not!” And a rooster crowed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
And a little later those who
stood by said to Peter again, “Surely you are one of them; for you are a
Galilean, and your speech shows it.” One of the servants of the high priest, a
relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the garden
with Him?” And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and
said to those who were there, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
Then he [Peter] began to curse
and swear, “I do not know this Man of whom you speak!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
Immediately, while he was still
speaking, the rooster crowed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the
Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord,
how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three
times.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So Peter went out and wept
bitterly.</div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315989646112641205#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Note:
Much of the Harmony readings will be pieced together like a puzzle putting the
four Gospels together into one narrative. I am copying the order or format from
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Simplified Harmony of the Gospels,</i>
George W. Wright, Holman Bible Publishers, 2001. However, I am using the New
King James rather than the HCSB. This order is from the research of Wright and
is open to discussion. Of course, you can also read the passages side by side
separately if you prefer.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315989646112641205.post-85145720831788659542014-04-12T06:00:00.000-04:002014-04-12T06:00:06.835-04:00Betrayed-Arrested-Tried<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;">Since we are in the Resurrection season, we're taking a short break from our regular reading of the Harmony of the Gospels, to read Jesus' last hours on earth. </span><br />
<br />
Matthew 26:47-68; Mark 14:43-65;
Luke 22:47-54, 63-65; John 18:1-14, 19-23<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315989646112641205#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">[1]</span></span></span></a></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
<u>Betrayed</u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
When Jesus had spoken these words,
He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden,
which He and His disciples entered. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with
His disciples. And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the
twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief
priests and elders of the people. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Now His betrayer had given them a
sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him, and lead Him away
safely.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Immediately he went up to Jesus
and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
But Jesus said to him, “Friend,
why have you come? Are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Then they came and laid hands on
Jesus and took Him. When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they
said to Him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” Then Simon Peter, having a
sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear.
The servant’s name was Malchus. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
But Jesus said to him, “Put your
sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Shall
I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My
Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled,
that it must happen thus?” And He touched his ear and healed him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
<u>Arrested</u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Then Jesus said to the chief
priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, “Have you
come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily
with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me. But this is your
hour, and the power of darkness.” But all this was done that the Scriptures of
the prophets might be fulfilled.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the
officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. Then all the disciples
forsook Him and fled.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
<u>Tried</u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
And they led Him away to Annas
first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. Now
it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die
for the people.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
The high priest then asked Jesus
about His disciples and His doctrine.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Jesus answered him, “I spoke
openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the
Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. 1 Why do you ask Me? Ask
those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
And when He had said these things,
one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand,
saying, “Do You answer the high priest like that?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Jesus answered him, “If I have
spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
And those who had laid hold of
Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the
elders were assembled. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Peter
followed Him at a distance to the high priest’s courtyard. And he went in and
sat with the servants to see the end and warmed himself at the fire.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
Now the chief priests, the elders,
and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death,
but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none.
But at last two false witnesses came forward and said, “We heard Him say, ‘I
will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build
another made without hands.’<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">”</span> But not even then did
their testimony agree.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
And the high priest arose and said
to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest
answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if
You are the Christ, the Son of God!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus said to him, “It is as you said.
Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at
the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying,
“He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now
you have heard His blasphemy! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do
you think?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
They answered and said, “He is
deserving of death.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to
beat Him, and to say to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers struck Him with the
palms of their hands. And many other things they blasphemously spoke against
Him.</div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315989646112641205#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Note: Much of the Harmony readings
will be pieced together like a puzzle putting the four Gospels together into
one narrative. I am copying the order or format from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Simplified Harmony of the Gospels,</i> George W. Wright, Holman Bible
Publishers, 2001. However, I am using the New King James rather than the HCSB.
This order is from the research of Wright and is open to discussion. Of course,
you can also read the passages side by side separately if you prefer.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315989646112641205.post-54835487658546211362014-04-11T07:32:00.000-04:002014-04-11T07:32:22.208-04:00Great Drops of Blood<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]-->Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:26, 32-42;
Luke 22:39-46<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Then Jesus came with them to a place called
Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over
there.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And He took with Him Peter, James,
and John the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then He said to them, “My soul is
exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He went a little farther, and fell on the
ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are
possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will,
but what You will.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven,
strengthening Him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And being in agony,
He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood
falling down to the ground.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Then He came to the disciples and found them
sleeping and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? “What! Could you not
watch with Me one hour? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watch and pray,
lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, a second time, He went away and prayed,
saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it,
Your will be done.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And He came and
found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to
answer Him.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">So He left them, went away again, and prayed
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them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Behold,
the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of
sinners. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rise, let us be going. See, My
betrayer is at hand.”</i></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315989646112641205.post-8039506974431977052014-04-10T06:00:00.001-04:002014-04-10T06:00:11.704-04:00High Priestly PrayerJohn 17<br />
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Jesus spoke these
words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come.
Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him
authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You
have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true
God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I
have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify
Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world
was.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I have manifested Your name to the men whom
You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and
they have kept Your word. Now they have known that all things which You have
given Me are from You. For I have given to them the words which You have given
Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from
You; and they have believed that You sent Me.</div>
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“I pray for
them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for
they are Yours. And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified
in them. Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I
come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me,
that they may be one as We are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them
in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost
except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I
come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy
fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated
them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not
pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them
from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify
them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also
have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they
also may be sanctified by the truth.</div>
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“I do not pray
for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their
word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that
they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And
the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We
are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and
that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have
loved Me.</div>
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“Father, I
desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may
behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation
of the world. O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known
You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your
name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in
them, and I in them.”</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315989646112641205.post-1873663485370898942014-04-09T06:00:00.000-04:002014-04-09T06:00:03.624-04:00Parting Words-The Comforter's MinistryJohn 16:5-33<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and
none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ But because I have said these
things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth.
It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will
not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come,
He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of
sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My
Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is
judged.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I still have many things to say to you, but
you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He
will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but
whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will
glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things
that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and
declare it to you.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“A
little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will
see Me, because I go to the Father.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Then some of His disciples said among
themselves, “What is this that He says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not
see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to
the Father’?” They said therefore, “What is this that He says, ‘A little
while’? We do not know what He is saying.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him,
and He said to them, “Are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, ‘A
little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will
see Me’? Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the
world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned
into joy. A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come;
but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the
anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. Therefore you
now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your
joy no one will take from you.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“And in that day you will ask Me nothing.
Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will
give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will
receive, that your joy may be full.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“These
things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when
I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you
plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say
to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you,
because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. I came
forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world
and go to the Father.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">His disciples said to Him, “See, now You are
speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! Now we are sure that You know
all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we
believe that You came forth from God.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Indeed
the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his
own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is
with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In
the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the
world.”</i></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0