Tag Archive | Gospels

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 342-343

Dec9

   Days 342 & 343—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.  NOTE:  Sunday & Monday studies are posted together on MONDAYS.

Day 342 – Romans 4 – 7 (Paul continues on with the Gospel of faith, the law, sin, and justification)

Romans 4.

Paul ended chapter 3 by saying BOTH the circumcised (Jews) and uncircumcised (Gentiles) are justified (considered righteous by God) through faith.  Now, he takes a closer look at the Law. Is it considered useless?

Scripture clearly states that Abraham was “counted as righteous” by God because of his faith. However, he was later circumcised. So which is it? Both. Abraham’s later circumcision was a “sign” or “seal” of the righteousness he already had by faith.  The purpose of BOTH is so that Jews AND Gentiles alike can be counted in God’s promise of blessing to “all nations.”

Romans 5.

Justified believers have peace with God through Jesus. And the Holy Spirit pours His love into our hearts. “God shows His love for us in that, while we were still sinners (weak and ungodly), Christ died for us. And since we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.“

Paul now illustrates our innate sinfulness and imputed righteousness, using the two “men,” Adam and Christ. He says that all men received the curse of sin in their lives through ONE MAN, Adam, with his sin against God. And, with our sinful nature, death reigned. But in another ONE MAN, Christ, we died to that sin, were “buried with Him,” and raised to new, eternal life.  With the one man, Adam, we received death, but with the one man, Christ, we received an abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness.

Romans 6.

Then, should we continue in sin?  No way! The one who has “died to sin” has been set free from sin. So, we are to “consider ourselves dead to sinning” and not allow it to reign in our bodies.  “Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments of righteousness.”

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ, our Lord.”

Romans 7.

Although believers are “dead to the Law” through the body of Christ, who was raised from the dead, the law is still good.  It points out our sins and makes us hate them. “For I do not understand my own actions. I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. If I do what I do NOT want, I agree with the law, which is good. It reveals the sin living in me.

For I know that nothing good dwells in me (in my flesh). I desire to do what is right but I do not have the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing! But it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

“I delight in the law of God – in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me a captive to the law of sin.  WRETCHED MAN THAT I AM! WHO WILL DELIVER ME FROM THIS BODY OF DEATH?

Oh, thanks be to GOD through Jesus Christ our Lord!

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Day 343 – Romans 8 – 10 (Paul describes Christian life, God’s sovereignty, Salvation to all)

Romans 8.

“There is, therefore, now NO CONDEMNATION for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” — (The mountain peak of Romans.)

God did what humanity could not do – save themselves from the wrath of God on sin. He sent His own Son in the likeness of human flesh for sin and condemned HIM so that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in US.  

Any of us “in the flesh” cannot please God.

We are NOT in the flesh, but in the Spirit, IF, IN FACT, the Spirit of God dwells in us.  

“If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” 

“And the Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ….provided we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him”

Paul tells them that the Holy Spirit helps believers when they do not know how to pray.  He intercedes for the saints according to God’s will.  And “we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.“

Paul also tells the order of salvation:  foreknowledge – predestination – calling – justification – glorification.

God is FOR us. He didn’t spare His own Son for us.  So now, who can condemn us? Who can separate us from the love of Christ?   

Paul says, “I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor ANYTHING ELSE IN ALL CREATION, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  WOW!

Romans 9.

Paul then confesses his great concern, increasing anguish, and love for his own Jewish people.  He claims he would be willing to be “accursed and cut off from Christ” for their sake.  He lists all these privileges they have had: 

  1. the adoption
  2. the glory
  3. the covenants
  4. the giving of the law
  5. the worship
  6. the promises
  7. the patriarchs
  8. and, from their race, according to the flesh, is the Messiah, the Christ! 

But it is not as if the Word of God failed. Not all the descendants of Abraham are Israel; only those through Isaac and then Jacob/Israel.) 

Then Paul explains God’s sovereignty through his purpose of ELECTION.  No, there is NO INJUSTICE on God’s part.  He told Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”  

God has mercy on whomever He wills, and He hardens the hearts of whomever He wills. 

You might think this unfair.

You may ask, ‘Why does He still find fault? Who can resist his will?”

Paul answers sharply.

“But who are YOU, O man, to answer back to God?  Will what is molded say to the molder, ‘Why have you made me like this?’ Has the Potter no right over the clay to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? 

What if God, desiring to show his wrath and power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath in order to make known the riches of His glory for vessels of mercy?

Although the number of the sons of Israel is as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved.  Why?  Because they did not pursue righteousness BY FAITH but by their own works. 

Romans 10.

“Brothers! My heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved!

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes and is justified; with the mouth, one confesses and is saved.

EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME! There is no distinction between JEW and GREEK, for the same Lord is over all people.  For EVERYONE who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!

Beautiful are “the feet” of those sent to preach the Gospel, for “the faith to call on His name” comes from hearing the Word of Christ. 

And yet, “All day long, I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.” (God says to Isaiah in 65:1-2.)

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 332

Nov28

   Day 332—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 332 – Acts 18 – 19 (Paul in Corinth, Priscilla & Aquila in Ephesus, Apollos, Paul in Ephesus, riots)

Acts 18.

After a minimal harvest of souls in Athens, Paul went to Corinth. There, he met Aquila & Priscilla, recently ejected from Rome. They were tentmakers and believers, so Paul (also a tentmaker) stayed with them and worked. He also reasoned every Sabbath in the synagogue.

Silas and Timothy finally arrived from Macedonia to help. The Jews rejected Christ, so Paul went exclusively to preach to the Gentiles. Titius Justus, a believer, lived next to the synagogue, so Paul set up headquarters there. Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, with his household and many Corinthians, believed and were baptized.  The Lord encouraged Paul in a vision, telling him to remain in Corinth and not be afraid, for He was with Paul, and there were many to be saved. Paul stayed for 18 months.

There was an incident with the Roman authorities, but the proconsul, Gallio, dismissed them (like Pilate did), telling the Jews to take care of their own matters.

Meanwhile, Paul had taken a vow, probably in gratitude to God, which included not cutting his hair. That vow was about to end, so he cut his hair. (The shorn hair needed to be presented in the Temple within 30 days.)  So, taking Aquila & Priscilla, he sailed for Syria. He left the couple in Ephesus, and after preaching a few times in the synagogue, he set sail for Caesarea.  From there, he went up to Jerusalem to fulfill his vow and greet the church there.  Then he returned to his sending church in Antioch for a while.

Later, Paul traveled back by land through Galatia, strengthening the churches he and Barnabas had planted on the first missionary journey.

Meanwhile, back in Ephesus, a Jew from Alexandria arrived. He was eloquent and competent in the scriptures. And he preached “the way” of the Lord, being fervent in spirit. He accurately taught the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John (and his sermons).  Priscilla and Aquila took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

Then, Apollos felt the call to Achaia (Greece). Priscilla and Aquila wrote the brothers there to welcome him, which they did.  Apollos greatly helped them, for he powerfully refuted the Jews publicly, showing by the scriptures that the Messiah was Jesus.

Acts 19.

So while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and arrived in Ephesus.  He found some disciples there who had been taught by Apollos early on. They hadn’t heard of the Holy Spirit’s work, so Paul caught them up. They all agreed to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. The Holy Spirit came on them too.

Paul stayed in Ephesus for two years, speaking boldly in the synagogue and reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.  Some believed, but others were stubborn in their unbelief.  Paul simply moved the meeting place to the Hall f Tyrannus.  “All the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.”

Now, seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva lived there. They were “itinerant Jewish exorcists.”  They saw the miracles God performed through Paul and were jealous. They tried doing the same things but the evil spirits fought back, saying, “Jesus, I know, and Paul, I recognize… BUT WHO ARE YOU?”   The seven “wannabes” were then attacked and stripped naked, so they ran away wounded.  This caused the residents to become afraid, and the name of Jesus was extolled.

Many of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books and burned them in the sight of all.  So, the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily in Ephesus and surroundings.

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After about two years, Paul resolved in the Spirit to travel up through Macedonia (Philippi, Thessalonica, & Berea), down to Achaia (Athens, Corinth), and afterward go to Jerusalem.  “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”  He sent Timothy and Erastus ahead to Macedonia and stayed a bit longer in Ephesus.

However, a disturbance about the teachings of “the Way” (the Gospel) arose in Ephesus, led by a silversmith named Demetrius, whose business was faltering because fewer people were buying his statues. He went to the “union hall” of artisans. and riled them up, saying,

“Men, you know that from this business, we have our wealth. But in Ephesus and almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods.  He is endangering our trade. Our great temple of Artemis may even be discounted as “nothing.”  What should we do??”  

Enraged at these words, they shouted, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”  The mob rushed everywhere in the city with this cry.  They dragged Paul’s companions into the arena. (Paul’s close friends convinced him NOT to go there.)  There was so much confusion and shouting that some in the crowd did not even know what was happening.

Alexander, a leader, tried to stop the crowd, but when they recognized him as a Jew, they shouted even louder for two hours. Finally, the town clerk quieted them down by saying that if they continued, the Romans would come and accuse them of rioting. Everyone knew that Artemis was sacred and that the temple was great, so they ought to be quiet.  “Let Demetrius and the craftsmen take these men to court in an orderly fashion.”

Finally, the crowd settled and dispersed.

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 318

Nov14

     Day 318—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

Day 318 – Matthew 28, Mark 16 (Jesus resurrected, guards bribed, Mary Magdalene & women, messages of the angels, Peter & John)

Today’s reading of the resurrection and the following events is similar to tomorrow’s, with different details. Some overlap.

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Early Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene and some other women went to Jesus’ tomb. Their plan was to add spices to the burial garments that Joseph and Nicodemus had hurriedly prepared three days earlier and to anoint the body of Jesus. They discussed who they could get to roll the stone away. (They probably didn’t know about the seal and Roman guard stationed at the tomb.)

However, before they arrived, there was a great earthquake and an angel of the Lord came down and rolled the stone back.  The 16 soldiers “guarding” the site fainted for fear and lay as “dead men.”  When they got up and saw the stone had been moved away, they panicked and went straight to the chief priests in the city. The priests assembled the elders, discussed the problem, and gave the soldiers a sufficient amount of money to spread a false tale – that the disciples had come and stole the body of Jesus. (Right! From 16 trained Roman soldiers!!)  The elders told them they would make it right with Pilate (more bribes), and the soldiers did as they were told.

Meanwhile, the women–also terrified–got instructions from the angel(s). “Don’t be afraid. I know you seek Jesus. He is not here, for He is risen as He said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then QUICKLY, go, tell the disciples–AND PETER–that He is risen.”  So, with both fear and joy, the women ran to where the disciples stayed. Jesus met the ladies on the way with “Greetings!” They fell at his feet to worship Him.

It seems that Mary Magdalene had lingered at the tomb (maybe inside it), so when she saw a man through her tears, she assumed He was the gardener. “Where have you taken my Lord?” she asked.  “Mary…” came Jesus’ voice with love, and she instantly recognized Him and fell at his feet in worship.

Meanwhile, the other women told the disciples what they had seen and heard at the tomb, but the men did not believe. However, John and Peter decided to investigate and ran off to see.  John arrived first, bent down at the door, and peered in. Peter, who arrived seconds later, plunged inside and gazed at the empty shelf where Jesus’s body should have been. Only His folded linen burial clothes were there. John then came inside, and instantly, he believed Jesus had risen.

As they told the other disciples, still waiting in the room in fear, the despondent Thomas said, “Unless I see in His hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into His side, I will never believe.”  All ten yet-to-be-courageous men waited in fear, doors locked to see what would happen.

Two others decided to return home to Emmaus.

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Continued tomorrow…

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 317

Nov13

     Day 317—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

Day 317 – Luke 23, John 18 – 19 (Judas’ betrayal, Passover/Lord’s Supper, Jesus foretells Peter’s denial, Gethsemane, Arrest and trial, Peter’s denial)

After the Last Supper and Jesus’ private teaching of the disciples and prayer, the group leaves for the Mount of Olives and Gethsemane, where Jesus and His disciples are used to hanging out.  Judas knows this and leads the religious leader and soldiers there so Jesus can be arrested.

When they take Jesus away, the eleven disciples flee in fear. John and then Peter follow the crowd to Caiaphas’s palace, where several mock, illegal trials are held for Jesus. He remains silent even with the false accusations and abuse but finally says that He IS the Son of God, as they say.  Meanwhile, Peter is met with three accusations. At each, he proclaims and swears that he is NOT a follower of Jesus and, in fact, he does not even know Him. A rooster crows, Jesus looks at Peter, and the “brave” disciple runs away in great remorse.  

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Next, Jesus is taken to Pilate, who questions Him extensively about being a “king.”  Jesus says He is a king, but His kingdom is not of this world. Pilate learns Jesus is from Galilee and tries to shirk his duty by sending Him before King Herod, who is also in town. 

Herod is gleeful. He’s wanted to see the “miracle worker” for a long time and hoped to see Jesus do some miracle.  Jesus remains silent before “that fox,” and so Herod arrays Jesus in fine clothing and allows his soldiers to mock and mistreat Him. Then, he sends Jesus back to Pilate. “Herod and Pilate become friends from that day.” 

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Pilate approaches the Jewish leaders and says he finds NO GUILT in Jesus, and neither has Herod. “Therefore, I will punish and release him.”

The crowds, stirred by their leaders, respond, “Away with this man. Release to us, Barabbas! Crucify, crucify Him.”  Finally, Pilate, tired of the matter, washes his hands and tells them to do with Him as they wish. He turns Jesus over to their will.

“Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews,” Pilate had written on a sign to be placed above Jesus’ head, showing the “crime” he was accused of. The Jews objected, but Pilate was firm.

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And so, the procession to Golgotha. Jesus, struggling under the weight of the beam, is helped by a stranger. He speaks warning to some weeping women along the way. Two other criminals follow to be crucified with Him. 

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At the place of The Skull, they nail Jesus to the cross. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

The soldiers cast lots for His garments and His robe as was usual, AND as it was prophesied (Psalm 22:18).

Inspired by Satan, who is still trying to keep Jesus from dying on the cross (and ending his power over mankind), people taunt Jesus to come down from the cross to save Himself…. IF HE IS THE CHRIST.

The criminals beside Jesus mock Him, too, but then one of them turns, repents, and asks Jesus to “remember him in His kingdom.”  “Truly, I say to you, today, you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Standing near Jesus’ cross were His mother, Mary, with three other women, and John.  “Woman, behold your son!” Jesus said to her. To John, indicating His mother, He said, “Behold your mother!”  And from then on, John took her into his own home. 

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At noon, a gloomy darkness covered the land until 3:00pm and Jesus cried out, Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani? (My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?)  Spectators thought Jesus was asking for Elijah and said, “Wait, let’s see if Elijah comes.”

With a parched mouth, Jesus rasped, “I thirst.” They dipped a sponge into some sour wine (vinegar) and held it to His mouth. Moisture returned, and He said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”  And with a final breath, Jesus cried aloud, “It is finished!”  And. He. Died. (Satan, YOU LOSE!!)

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A great earthquake shook the earth and split rocks. Tombs were opened, and saints walked about. AND THE CURTAIN IN THE TEMPLE WHICH SEPARATED THE HOLY PLACE FROM THE MOST HOLY PLACE….TORE IN TWO FROM THE BOTTOM TO THE TOP! (Opening the way for all people to approach God through His blood/death.)

“Truly, this man was the Son of God!” cried the Centurion overseeing the crucifixion. 

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Ever suspicious and worried about their own status, the Jews went to Pilate and asked that the crucified men’s legs be broken to hurry on their deaths. They needed the bodies DOWN before the sun went down and the Sabbath began.  A soldier did the deed, and the two criminals soon died. But when he came to Jesus, he saw He was already dead. He thrust his spear into Jesus’ side and saw the blood and clear fluid flowing out, proof of death, so Jesus’ legs were not broken. (This fulfilled Numbers 9:12, Zechariah 12:10)

There was a man, Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin, a good and righteous man who had NOT agreed to the verdict and action by the council, a man looking for the kingdom of God, a secret disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus to bury Him.  After Pilate confirmed that Jesus was indeed dead, he agreed. Joseph and the other secret disciple, Nicodemus, took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in linen with many pounds of burial spices, and laid it in Joseph’s newly hewn tomb. He rolled the stone across the opening.  The women who were at the cross followed and noted where Jesus was buried. 

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The next day, the chief priests and Pharisees went to Pilate. They were worried about the rumors circulating about Jesus’ promise to “rise again” on the third day.  They asked Pilate to make sure the tomb stayed closed by posting a guard to keep the disciples from “stealing his body” and claiming Jesus had been resurrected. (They knew that this circumstance would have been worse than the first.)

Pilate gave them a guard (16) of soldiers. “Go, make it as secure as you can.”  These Jews made sure a Roman seal was put on the stone, sealing it (like an official envelope), and set the Roman guard around it.  There!  Done and dusted!

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AS IF… a wax seal and 16 puny humans could stop the SON of GOD from coming to life!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 316

Nov12

     Day 316—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

Day 316 – Matthew 27, Mark 15. (Judas, Pilate, Barabbas, Crucifixion/Death, two thieves, Burial/Tomb)

(Today’s and tomorrow’s readings cover the same events,  so we will look at the details of each.)

The Jews, finished with their three mock trials with their verdict of “blasphemy” (John 18), now deliver Jesus to the Roman authorities to get the death penalty. (The Jews, under Roman rule, were not allowed to impose the death sentence. Also, their means of death would have been stoning, and prophecy stated that Jesus would die cursed “on a tree”

Judas sees Jesus condemned to death, and changes his mind (not his heart in true repentance). He tries to return the 30 pieces of silver he was paid and stop the fiasco, but the Jews do not care for him and refuse.  He throws the money at them, then goes out and hangs himself.  They take the “blood money” and buy a burial ground for strangers.

“Are you the King of the Jews?” Pilate asks Jesus.

“You have said so.” (In other words, yes.)

(Luke 23 here tells how Pilate, trying to get out of his responsibility, sends Jesus to Herod. Herod sends him back.)  (John 18 tells of Pilate’s extended conversation with Jesus about truth and His kingdom that was not of this world, and his attempts to release Him.)

“I find no guilt in Him,” says Pilate. “And according to my tradition, I will release one criminal to the people at Passover.  Do you want Barabbas (a murderer and insurrectionist), or Jesus who is called the Christ (Messiah)?”

“BARRABAS!!” they shouted.

“Then what do you want me to do with Jesus?” he asks in desperation.

“Let Him be crucified!” they shouted.

“Why? What evil has He done?”

“Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

“Okay,” Pilate finally agrees, knowing they wanted Him dead out of envy, “but I am innocent of this man’s blood.”

“His blood be on us and on our children,” shouted the Jews.  (They meant the “guilt” of Jesus’s death, but in reality, Jesus’ blood on us is what saves us in God’s sight.)

So Pilate released Barabbas, scourged Jesus, and delivered Him to be crucified.  It was the soldiers, a whole battalion of them, who scourged Jesus (whipped Him with cords embedded with bits of bone). They also mocked him, putting on a scarlet robe and a crown of thorns and kneeling before him. They struck him about the head with a reed and spit on Him. “Hail, you King of the Jews!” Then they stripped Him of the robe.

They laid the cross piece of the cross on Jesus’ bloody shoulders and compelled Him to carry it up Golgotha’s hill. When He stumbled and fell, they compelled a stranger, in town for the Feast – Simon of Cyrene – to carry it for Him. (Luke 23 tells about Jesus addressing some weeping women along the way.)

They offered a drugged wine for Jesus to drink to dull the pain, but Jesus refused it. Then the nailed Jesus to the cross, hands and feet.

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 315

Nov11

     Days 315—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

NOTE:  For THIS WEEK, the Sunday and Monday studies will be posted separately because they are lengthy.

 Day 315 – John 14-17. (Jesus teaches, warns, and encourages the eleven, His high-priestly prayer)

John includes private and precious teaching by Jesus to His disciples before the horrors of arrest, trials, and the crucifixion. Read these chapters and ponder all that Jesus said and prayed.

John 14. Teachings and Q & A by the disciples.

The disciples don’t understand what is coming soon to Jesus and to them although Jesus has stated clearly that He is going to be tortured and killed. Nevertheless He speaks peace and hope to them. “Don’t be afraid. I go to prepare a place for you and I will come again and take you to myself, when I am.”

Thomas: “Lord, we do not know where you’re going, how can we know the way?”  “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me, and you have known my Father.”

Philip: “”Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough.” “Have I been so long with you and you still don’t know? Whoever has see me and seen the Father. The Father and I are one.”  “He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will manifest myself to him.”

Judas (not Iscariot): “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us and not to the world?”  “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him and WE will come to him and make our home with him.”

Then Jesus teaches them about the “Helper,” the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send to them. “He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. I’m leaving you my peace. Don’t be afraid.”

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John 15. The vineyard example. Persecution. More about the Holy Spirit.

Jesus gives them a private parable. He compares Himself to a vine, the true vine. He tells them that His Father is the vinedresser/vineyard keeper.  He cuts off dead and unproductive branches, and prunes back the fruitful ones so they will bear more grapes.

Jesus tells them that they (and believers today) are branches. He urges them to stay connected (abide) in Him so they will bear a lot of fruit for the Master. (They can produce NO fruit unless connected to Him.) Jesus tells them that He chose them and appointed them to go and bear fruit, and that that fruit would be lasting forever.

“Abide in ME. Bear MUCH fruit. Prove to be my disciples! And so glorify my Father.”

Jesus tells them to also abide in His words and in His love. And their prayers will be answered. A way to abide in His love is by keeping his commandments (as He kept the Father’s.) He promises them abundant joy by abiding in Him, loving Him, and obeying Him.

Specifically, Jesus tells them to LOVE EACH OTHER as He has loved them — sacrificially, laying down their lives for each other.

Jesus then warns them that the world systems will HATE them as they hated Him and hated God.  They will persecute and kill the disciples, as they will do to Him….and without a cause. (Psalm 35:19m 69:4)

Again Jesus encourages them by telling them of their Helper, the Holy Spirit who will be sent by the Father. He is the Spirit of Truth and He will witness about Jesus through them, even in persecution.

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John 16. Reason for warning them, More on the Holy spirit and joy, more Q&A.

Jesus’ disciples WILL be persecuted. People will think they are doing God a service by killing them (Like Paul did. Acts 9:1-2.)

Jesus tells them He is going away, back to the Father who sent Him.  He knows they are sorrowful, but the truth is, it is to their advantage, because when He goes, the Helper, the Holy Spirit, will come to them.  The Spirit will convict the world about sin, righteousness and judgment.  He will guide them into all truth because He will speak only what He hears. He will tell them about things to come. He will glorify Jesus.

The disciples: “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 am going to the father. What does He mean? We don’t know what He is talking about!

“Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy. You have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.”   “I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to My Father.”

Disciples: “Ah, now you speak plainly and not using figurative speech.  Now we know. Now we believe.

“Do you now believe?

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John 17. Jesus prays to His Father for them (and us).

Jesus prays that He will glorify His Father in His “hour” to come. He says he has accomplished all that the Father told Him to do so far. And He prays that He will do it to the end.

He states that “And this is Eternal life, that they know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”

He prays for the disciples, that God would keep them in His name and make them become one. He prays God will keep them from the evil one and sanctify them in the truth, which is God’s word.

“O righteous Father, even though the world does not know You, I know You, and these know that You have sent Me. I made known to them Your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which You have loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 314

Nov10

     Days 314—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

NOTE:  THIS WEEK, the Sunday and Monday studies will be posted separately because they are lengthy.

Day 314 – Luke 22, John 13. (Judas’ betrayal, Passover/Lord’s Supper, Jesus foretells Peter’s denial, Gethsemane, Arrest and trial, Peter’s denial)

Luke’s passage is similar to yesterday’s Matthew and Mark but has a few other details. Verse 3 mentions that Satan entered into Judas. Verse 8 reveals that it was Peter and John who acquired the room for the Passover meal. Verses 24-29 show that the disciples are STILL vying for the chief spots in the Kingdom. Jesus tells them they must be servants first, and that He and the Father have indeed assigned them to sit at His table and on thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.

John describes how Jesus illustrates how to be a servant. He removes his robe, kneels, and does the job of the lowest slave: He washes their feet.  Peter objects at first but then tells Jesus He may wash his whole body. Jesus tells the eleven they are “clean” already and just need the dust of the world removed.  Judas, however, is NOT included in this “clean” group.

John also reveals how, when Jesus says one of them will betray Him, Peter signals to John across the table to find out from Jesus who it is, as John is sitting next to Him.  Jesus tells John – and Peter, who is watching – that the next person He gives a portion to is the one. Jesus hands it to Judas. Then, Jesus dismisses the traitor from the group to “do what he must.”

Before Peter can get puffed up, Jesus tells him that HE will deny his Lord that very evening. Peter violently objects, but Jesus tells him He has prayed for Peter, but, before the rooster crows, he WILL deny Jesus THREE TIMES.

(John 14 – 17 recounts the intimate time of teaching and prayer Jesus has with the eleven in the upper room, which we’ll read tomorrow.) 

Then, the company goes to the Mount of Olives – as was Jesus’ custom – to the Garden of Gethsemane. While the disciples sleep, Jesus prays three times that “the Cup” He is meant to drink to the dregs might be removed, But three times, he acquiesces to the Father’s will.

It is Jesus’ human body that shrinks from the coming torture and bearing the sin of the world. His divine nature willingly accepts the plan of salvation that He and the Father planned before the world was created.

Afterward, while his three close disciples joined the others in a post-meal/wine nap, God sent an angel to strengthen Jesus, whose sweat had become bloody with stress and agony.

Then…. it begins. The traitor, Judas, leads a pack of 600+ men/soldiers to the customary place where he knows Jesus will be.  Confirming the sign he’d planned with the Jewish leaders, Judas goes to Jesus and gives Him a welcoming kiss. Jesus calls him “friend.”

Impetuous Peter, perhaps thinking to dispel Jesus’ prediction that he will deny Him, grabs his short sword and attacks the chief priest’s servant, Malchus. He misses the man’s throat and slices off an ear.  Jesus, probably loving Peter even with his misled and violent ways, says to stop. Then He calmly replaces the ear back on Malchus’ head.

Jesus tells Peter that if He chose to, He could ask His Father for 10,000 angels to rescue Him (who could in a single night kill the entire world’s population!).  But how would all be fulfilled? (How would salvation be bought?)

Jesus, knowing what was happening, then asks the crowd WHOM they seek. He is protecting his disciples from arrest, even as they are poised to flee. He wants the mob to state clearly the only person they want. The answer comes, “We seek Jesus of Nazareth.”

“I AM He,” Jesus says, stating His Sovereign-God name. The crowd falls to the ground at its power and awesomeness.  Scrambling to their feet again, Jesus repeats that He is Jesus of Nazareth and willingly surrenders to them, stating that He had been daily in the Temple. They didn’t need to make this midnight raid to arrest Him. (He and they both know that they would NOT have arrested Him during the daylight because they feared what the crowds would do.  Cowards!!)

As they lead Jesus away, the eleven vanish into the trees. One young man (perhaps Mark) is caught by his tunic, which comes off and makes him flee away naked!  It seems John followed the mob at a distance to see what would happen to Jesus.  Peter followed him at a greater distance.  Both men observe the horrendous ordeal that begins for their Master in Caiaphas’s palace….the accusations, spitting, slapping, verbal and physical abuse to which Jesus says not a word. (Only that He IS the Son of God, which causes them to nail down the verdict — guilty of blasphemy.)

Meanwhile, in the courtyard, Peter watches in horror and anguish.

“This man was also with him,” says a servant girl, pointing at Peter. “Woman, I do not know Him.”

“You also are of them,” said another a little later. “Man, I am NOT!”

“Certainly, this man also was with Him, for he too is a Galilean,” accused a third.  “Man, I do not know what you are talking about!” (Mark tells us that Peter begins to invoke a curse on himself and to swear he isn’t a follower of this Jesus.)

AND IMMEDIATELY, WHILE PETER WAS STILL SPEAKING, THE ROOSTER CROWED.

And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. (Oh, what a look!!)  And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord.  And he went out and wept bitterly. 

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(We will backtrack a little tomorrow to read about Jesus’ teaching & priestly prayer before they all leave the upper room.)

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 313

Nov9

     Day 313—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

Day 313 – Matthew 26, Mark 14 (Judas’ betrayal, Passover/Lord’s Supper, Jesus foretells Peter’s denial, Gethsemane, Arrest and trial, Peter’s denial)

Today’s and tomorrow’s passages are similar.

Jesus states clearly to His disciples that “after two days, the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” (How plain can He say it?)

The chief priests and elders gather in Caiaphas’s palace and plot to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill Him.

Judas goes to them and asks what they will pay him to deliver Jesus to them.  They give him 30 pieces of silver. From that time on, Judas seeks an opportunity to betray Jesus.

Two disciples ask Jesus where He wants them to prepare the Passover. Jesus tells them to find a certain man in the city, one carrying a jar of water (an unusual sight because women usually carry water). They were to ask him where, and he would show them a large upper room furnished and ready.

At the meal, Jesus announces that one of them will betray Him. Eleven disciples exclaim, “Is it I, Lord?” Judas asks, “Is it I, Rabbi?” Jesus answers him, Yes, and dismisses him to do what he must.

Jesus then institutes the Lord’s Supper (Communion), relating the bread to His body and the wine to His blood. Both would be “given” to them at His crucifixion, where the forgiveness of sin would be purchased.  Hereafter, they were to eat and drink these in memorial to Him.

Then, after they had sung a hymn (probably Psalm 118), Jesus announced that they would ALL fall away that very night because of Him. He quotes Zechariah 13:7, “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.”  But He tells them AGAIN that He will be raised and that afterward, He will go before them to Galilee.

“Even though they all fall away, I WILL NOT,” declares Peter.

“Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”

“If I must die with You, I WILL NOT DENY YOU,” repeats Peter, and they all join the pledge.

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

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And they went out to the Mount of Olives to a place called Gethsemane….

More tomorrow.

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 312

Nov8

     Day 312—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

Day 312 – Matthew 25 (Kingdom parables, final judgment)

Jesus continues to tell His listeners about the end times using parables. First is the Parable of the Ten Virgins. 

All ten went to wait for the bridegroom to arrive at the bride’s house for the wedding. They were to be the welcoming committee. There was a delay, but at midnight, the call came that He was approaching. All the lamps had gone out while the virgins were sleeping, but FIVE were able to relight theirs and go to meet the bridegroom because they had brought extra oil. They knew the wait could be a long one.

But the other five had not brought extra oil, could not relight their lamps, and could not go to meet Him.  They tried to buy some from the others, but the wise ones had none to spare.  The bridegroom came, the wise five went into the banquet hall with him, and the door was shut. The foolish five pounded on the door and begged to be let in, but the groom’s father said he did not know them.  Yikes. Jesus warns his listeners to WATCH because they don’t know the time of His coming.

In this case, I don’t think the oil represented the Holy Spirit but rather readiness and preparedness.

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The second parable was the Parable of the Talents.  In this one, a man going on a long journey, entrusted his servants with his property.  To one servant He gave FIVE talents (a measure of weight, not a specific coin), to another He gave TWO talents, and to the other He gave ONE. (Not favoritism, but according to each’s ABILITY to handle money.)

The five talent guy traded in the markets and earned five more.  Likewise, the two talent guy doubled  his money. But the one talent guy – lazy, more than fearful – hid the one talent…incase he lost it in a bad stock option.

When the master returned, the five and two talents men were praised and rewarded. However, the one talent man was berated. AT THE VERY LEAST, he should have invested the sum and gained interest – probably not double, but some!  As a penalty, the master gave the one talent to the guy with five. The “worthless fellow” was cast into outer darkness where there was weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The man’s own words condemned him.

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Then, Jesus gives a sheep/goats parable about the last judgment.  He compares all the world’s nations and peoples to sheep or goats.  The sheep are those with kind, love-filled hearts who minister to the poor, sick, and imprisoned with mercy and supplies in Christ’s name.  The goats represent those with hard, selfish hearts, who do not bother to give any help to the weak, sick, and needy.  (Let them go to the poorhouse, as Scrooge said.)

The loving sheep will be blessed with an eternal inheritance prepared for them by God from the foundation of the world.

The selfish, heartless goats will be cursed for an eternity, prepared for the devil and his angels.

(Wow. I need to examine my heart and confess my selfishness!!  And laziness. And unpreparedness.)

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 311

Nov7

     Day 311—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

Day 311 – Matthew 24 (more on the destruction of the temple, end-time warnings, antichrists, His coming)

This chapter covers what we’ve looked at in the last two days, with different details.  The conversation begins with the disciples admiring the temple building and ends with the Lord’s second coming.

The disciples naturally want to know the details, and Jesus proceeds to teach about short-term, long-term, and unknown-term happenings. I’m not sure the disciples understood any more after Jesus was finished. I don’t!

Jesus talks about false messiahs, wars, and catastrophes near and worldwide. They are not to fear but remain faithful.  Jesus says many will grow cold, and fall away, and betray each other, and that lawlessness will increase. They are to endure to the end.  And they are to consistently proclaim the gospel of the kingdom to the whole world. When that is complete, the end will come.

Further, in the end times, the abomination of desolation will appear that was foretold by Daniel. False Christs and prophets will perform great signs and wonders and try to lead even God’s elect astray.  DO NOT BELIEVE THEM!

Terrifying occurrences in the heavens will happen, and then the Son of Man will appear in clouds with power and great glory. And “all the tribes of the earth will mourn.”  When the disciples of that day see these things happening, they will KNOW the time of the end is near.

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” Jesus is and speaks the truth. We can always trust in what He says.

He compares the end times to those days of Noah. People will be eating and drinking as they normally do every day. They will marry and attend weddings until the DAY of judgment comes when they will be swept away.

“Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know what day your Lord is coming.  Be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do NOT expect.”