Lesson 1108

(Lesson 1108)(09-30-14) John 20:21-23

"Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained."

For today's lesson I have gone back to John chapter twenty. I did this to refer to that part of yesterday's quote because it contains a lesson apart from the overall context of that chapter which made up the substance of yesterday's lesson, which primarily concerned the blessed resurrection of our savior.

Verse twenty two, in part says; " he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost". Therein, Jesus gave a special empowerment to His chosen Apostles. We should note that when Jesus breathed the Holy Ghost upon them, it was something that would pertain only to those twelve individuals whom He had personally chosen to represent His power until such a time as He could send the Holy Spirit to strengthen His entire Church. Jesus did that for no others.

I point that out because it seems that Jesus went further in verse twenty three, to say; "Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained."

It might appear to some, by what is said herein, that Jesus endowed those twelve men with the power to remit sin. In other words, this says that Jesus gave power to His Apostles to decide who should be lost and who should be saved. I don't believe that He did that. (These verses provide much of the underpinning for the erroneous contentions of Roman Catholicism which provides that a priest, bishop or pope has the power to remit sin.)

That contention stands in stark contrast to what is taught throughout the New Testament in that Jesus was, and still is, the ONLY power capable of remitting sin; "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."(Hebrews 9:22)

It also stands in contrast with what John had previously written; "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)

There is one other possible intention that could be provided by these verses. It is possible that the intent was that those Apostles, through the power of the Holy Ghost, would be capable of, teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to the extent of having some believe in Jesus Christ and thereby have their sins remitted.

Knowing that the Catholic "Church" had almost total control of the original texts of the gospels, for so many years, it is my opinion that these verses, could have been altered, or simply added to to the original text to cement the false contentions of their doctrine.

Being an avid believer that the true word of God, contained in the bible, will stand forever and that the truth of His word will always be attainable through prayerful study, I believe that in this instance, as in any others that appear to demonstrate contradiction within the bible, as we have it, we should resolve this issue through prayer and faith in Jesus Christ through His divine Holy Spirit.~

Lesson 1107

(Lesson 1107)(09-29-14) John chapter 20

"The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name."

This chapter of John, along with the accounts given in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, contain the most glorious string of events in the entire history of mankind. The resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. As was said in Matthew 28:5-6; "And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay."

To those of us whom have received eternal life through faith in Christ and the amazing grace of God, the most wonderful words ever written are "He has risen"! ~

Lesson 1106

(Lesson 1106)(09-28-14) John 19:25-42

"Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand."

Today's quote tells us that, as Jesus hung there, in what must have been almost unbearable pain, looked toward His mother, and while referring to John, His earthly brother, said, "Woman, behold thy son!" Then He said to John, "Behold thy mother!" By doing that, Jesus was following Jewish law and tradition by passing responsibility for the care of His mother on to John, His younger half brother.

This establishes that Jesus, being the oldest Son, had been the head of His family from the time His stepfather, Joseph, had died until the day He was crucified for our sins.

In the body of a feeling human man, and even while enduring those horrible events, Jesus, the Son of God, still had the presence of mind to do His duty as head of His earthly family.

The latter part of today's quote tells us there were many prophesies fulfilled that day and how Arimathaea, a Jew and one who was a believer in Christ, owned a new tomb and persuaded Pilate to allow him to bury our savior there.

The lessons that can be taken from the events of that fateful day are many, from the total lack of interest demonstrated by the Roman soldiers, who created a contest to decide the ownership of Jesus' clothes, to the total heartbreak of those, very devoted disciples, who had followed Jesus from the beginning. None of whom fully understood the divine awesomeness of what was happening that day.

We, as Christians, should take the time to read over all four accounts of the crucifixion of Jesus, being careful to analyze all the events and try to understand the awesome significance of them as they would then, and later, apply to the lives of every human being, past, present, and future.~

Lesson 1105

(Lesson 1105)(09-27-14) John 19:23-24

"Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.'

Although, as described in today's quote, the Roman soldiers dividing up Jesus' clothes, and casting lots for His coat, had very little to do with the divine, and literally earth shaking, events of the day. This small, insignificant event, recorded only to demonstrate the uncaring attitude of those soldiers, caused "Christianity" to totally condemn gambling in any form, forever.

Even though there is no other reference to gambling, either for or against, in the rest of the entire bible the "Christian" stance is totally against gambling. Which, for the loser, is never a good thing. And, we can all agree that the ambience of gambling is not helpful to those involved. ~

Lesson 1104

(Lesson 1104)(09-26-14) John 19:1-22

"Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.

Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid; And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.

And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priest answered, We have no king but Caesar. Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.

And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews Pilate answered, What I have written I have written."

Today's quote details the cruel events leading up to the crucifixion of our Saviour.

Although Pontius Pilate tried several times to release Jesus, the Jews insisted that He be crucified.

Pilate placed a plaque on the cross above Jesus' head that read, "JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS'.

Because of their actions on that fateful day, the Jewish race would, for all practical purposes, lose their identity as a viable nation.

Although what happened to Jesus was a vicious and terrible thing, it was necessary, and preordained, so that you and I might receive eternal life through the amazing grace of God.~

Lesson 1103

(Lesson 1103)(09-25-14) John 18:28-40

"Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover. Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man? They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.

Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.

Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber."

Today's quote relates how the high priest of the Jews, after condemning Jesus, turned Him over to the Romans because it was against Hebrew law to have any man killed.

Pontius Pilate, the Roman magistrate, after questioning Jesus, could find no fault in Him and offered to release Jesus back to His people. The Jews, however, chose Barabbas, a thief, to be freed instead.

This lesson began the torture of Jesus that led to His crucifixion.~

Lesson 1102

(Lesson 1102)(09-24-14) John 18:14-27

"Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not. And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself. The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said. And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so? Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me? Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not. One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew."

In today's quote, after being slapped by one of the guards, Jesus defends His actions to the high priest of the Jews; "If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?"

This lesson also demonstrates a failure in Peter's faith as he denied knowing Jesus three times before the rooster crowed in the morning.

As Peter demonstrated in today's lesson, a profession of faith in Jesus Christ is sometimes wasted and taken much to lightly, and again sometimes, a profession of faith is professed without fully understanding what the word "faith" truly means to us.

Of course, we know that the ordeal Jesus endured was preordained by God Himself, and nothing Peter could have done would have altered the outcome. Yet, by claiming faith in Jesus then denying Him, Peter proved himself to be "wishy washy" much the same as many "Christians" today, by only demonstrating faith when things are going well.

In order for faith in Jesus Christ to always be a valuable and beneficial asset it must be exercised, or put to use, as is made clear in James 2:20, ,"But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?"

If one does not totally rely on faith in Jesus Christ by exercising it in situations such as when Peter was confronted by what he perceived to be his adversaries, it is useless, or "dead".

Without exercising, or "work"ing our faith, it will be nonexistent because it produces nothing. We Know that Peter believed in Jesus enough to be eternally saved, but just as many today, he did not demonstrate faith when confronted by the enemies of Christ.

Faith without works is indeed meaningless or "dead", therefore we should take our faith and run with it, relying on it for every aspect of our daily lives. Jesus will always honor our faith.~

Lesson 1101

(Lesson 1101)(09-23-14) John 18:1-13

"When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none. Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year."

Today's quote relates how, after being betrayed by Judas, Jesus was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane and taken to Caiaphas, the chief priest of the Jews.

This lesson marks the beginning of the horrible ordeal Jesus would undergo on behalf of sinners like you and me. He suffered a cruel death so that we might, through faith in Him, have everlasting life.~

Lesson 1100

(Lesson 1100)(09-22-14) John chapter 17

"These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.

And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them."

In today's quote, Jesus, through prayer, makes a plea to the Father for His Apostles. He asked the Father to "sanctify" them and to give them the power to become one with both the Father, the Son, and the soon to come Holy Ghost.

Jesus also prayed for those of us who would come to believe in Him through the written word (The Holy bible)left to us by His Apostles; "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me."

In my opinion there are few who really realize the awesome power that is instilled in those of us whom have placed our faith in Jesus Christ and received the divine power of the Holy Ghost.

Through the divine sacrifice made Jesus Christ, we have been given the power to become the Sons of God; "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name". (John 1:12)

The prayer that Jesus prayed that day was one of the most awesome and truly earthshaking events in the entire history of the world. Thank God for that prayer!~

Lesson 1099

(Lesson 1099)(09-21-14) John 16:25-33

"Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God. Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

In today's lesson Jesus explained Himself in terms the Apostles better understood as He reaffirmed His oneness with the Father. He also promised those of us who believe in Him that whatever we ask in Jesus' name, we will faithfully receive from God, the Father.

Jesus warned that once He was gone His followers would be forced to scatter until such a time as He could send the Holy Spirit to reunite them as preachers and teachers of His gospel.~

Lesson 1098

(Lesson 1098)(09-20-14) John 16:16-24

"A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith. Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye inquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."

From today's quote we learn that Jesus' Apostles had not yet understood what He was telling them concerning His forthcoming sacrificial ordeal. They couldn't understand that He must first die a physical death and then be resurrected in order to create a means by which the spiritual 'rebirth' of lost believers could be achieved.

Jesus even compared the anguish His followers would be subjected to, at His dying, to the suffering a woman endures while giving birth to a baby.

Jesus explained that once they realized the purpose, and fruit, of that suffering, they would rejoice in the experience having been reborn in the spirit through His death, burial, and resurrection.

In reference to the rebirth His ordeal would provide, Jesus said; "A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world."

Jesus was required to suffer so that a lost world could be "born again".

We, today, just as those early followers of Jesus, achieve our salvation through faith in the rebirth Jesus provided on the cross at Calvary.

"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3)

Lesson 1097

(Lesson 1097)(09-19-14) John 16:12-15

"I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you."

In the first line of today's quote, Jesus said, "I have yet many things to say unto you, but YE CANNOT BEAR THEM NOW."

Jesus knew that His followers could not possibly understand the concept of salvation by grace through faith, nor why it would be necessary for Him to die until He had fully completed His divine mission as a sacrifice for the sins of the world, and was resurrected from that death.

To ease their anxiety, Jesus told them that the Holy Spirit would soon come and explain all the details of His doctrine at a time when they could better understand: "when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth".

Jesus went further to explain that the Holy Spirit would advise them as to the things to come. Speaking of the coming Holy Spirit, Jesus said; "whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."

In the last part of today's quote, Jesus, for the first time, Identifies the Holy Spirit as the third part of the Holy Triune; The Father, the Son, and The Holy Ghost.

The Holy Triune makes up the full identity of God as it applies to His provision for the redemption of mankind.

Remember, in Matthew 28:19, Jesus said; "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, *baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost"(The Holy Triune). This instruction obligated the Apostles to *baptize, or to sanctify, the lost within the concept of the Holy Triune, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.~

*The term "baptizing", as it is applied in the above quote, does not, by any means, relate to a water "baptism", it simply means that believers were/are to be secured, or sanctified within, and justified by, the authority and power of the Holy Triune. The correct reading of the passage commands that believers were/are to be sanctified by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

Lesson 1096

(Lesson 1096)(09-18-14) John16:1-11

"These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you. But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged."

In today's lesson Jesus again warned His followers of the coming wrath of the Jewish leadership.

Jesus knew about the hypocrisy of the Jews, and their failure to obey God's commandments, from the beginning. And, except for a select few, they were condemned by their own rules.

The best example was the imposition of the laws of Moses and the total inability of the Jews to obey them. They chose to warp the law to better serve themselves rather than to serve God.

Because of their failure, the "chosen" status would, with the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, be extended to His Church which would include the Gentiles.

In order for this to happen Jesus had to first sacrifice Himself for the sins of all mankind.

He reassured His followers that after He returned to the Father, He would send the Holy Spirit, the "Comforter" to abide with, and provide power to, all who would come to believe in Him.

Jesus, speaking of the coming of the Holy Spirit, said; "when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged." The "righteousness" of man would no longer matter, it was to be overridden by the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

This meant that because of Christ's sacrifice, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, the sins of the world would be forgiven, or "justified", for those who would come to believe.

His final statement in the above quote reminds us that the world without the sacrifice of Jesus was condemned, and tells us that as of that moment in time the guilty were judged; "the prince of this world IS judged."

Thank God for His amazing grace! "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)~

Lesson 1095

(Lesson 1095)(09-17-14) John 15:18-27

"If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning."

In today's lesson Jesus warned His Apostles of the intense hatred the ruling Jews held toward Him and all those who believed in Him.

Although, we today, don't face that same kind of hatred, there are still the angels of Satan who are hard at work to destroy everything Jesus stood for then, and everything His true Church stands for today.

It is the obligation of every born again child of God to put the pure gospel of Jesus Christ first and foremost in our everyday lives so as to overcome the power of Satan. We can do this through the awesome power of the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ which He sent to us for that purpose.~

Lesson 1094

(Lesson 1094)(09-16-14) John 15:1-17

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another."

In today's quote, Jesus commands His followers to live their lives in accordance with His Gospel. He told them that in order to be true to His cause, His own righteousness must be reflected in their lives also.

Jesus said; "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."

Close attention should be paid to that statement in that Jesus did not only say that those who believed in Him are saved, or "clean", it clearly establishes that we can accomplish no goodness, or righteousness, without having that righteousness imputed into us from Jesus Christ Himself.

Jesus then went further to assure those of us whom are saved by His grace that the Father is glorified by the works of His Son through that righteousness that is imputed into us.

Paul, referring to the faith of Abraham, assured us that it is not the "work" we do that ultimately saves us, but rather it is the righteousness imputed into us through faith in Jesus Christ; "Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. NOW IT WAS NOT WRITTEN FOR HIS SAKE ALONE, THAT IT WAS IMPUTED TO HIM; BUT FOR US ALSO, TO WHOM IT SHALL BE IMPUTED, IF WE BELIEVE ON HIM THAT RAISED UP JESUS OUR LORD FROM THE DEAD; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." (Romans 4:18-25)

As we find in the above text, it is faith in the righteousness of Jesus Christ, not works, that performs the righteousness that Jesus demanded of His followers in today's lesson.~

Lesson 1093

(Lesson 1093)(09-15-14) John 14:16-31

"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.

Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence."

In today's quote Jesus promised that once He was gone He would send a "Comforter" to nurture the needs of those of us whom have placed our faith in Him. That "Comforter" is the Holy Ghost of God, the third part of the Holy Triune.

As will be demonstrated in forthcoming lessons, Jesus, as He promised, returned to His Church in the Spirit, the Holy Ghost, at the Jewish Pentecost celebration. "And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost". (Acts 2:2-4 in part)

Jesus also promised that the Holy Spirit would abide with us "forever". He went further to promise that the Holy Ghost would teach "all things" to those who would believe in Him; "the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

That means that those of us who are saved by the redeeming grace of God can know all things by relying on the Holy Spirit of God through prayer.

We, the believers, those of us who make up Christ's Church, should realize that by being representatives of Jesus Christ and His gospel, we are obligated to do work on His behalf for as long as we live here on this earth. Our work obligation consists of only three things; Our first obligation is to learn, relying on the Holy Spirit, and teach His gospel to every soul who is willing to listen: Second, we are to do all that we can do to make life better for those who suffer in this world: Third, we are to live our lives as examples of the loving grace of Jesus Christ.

The power of the Holy Ghost in us, the believers, is, through faith, the power over the universe through God the Father.

What an awesome responsibility we have the wield that power toward the ultimate salvation of the souls of all mankind. ~

Lesson 1092

(Lesson 1092)(09-11-14) John 14:1-15

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments."

In today's quote, Jesus told His Apostles that He must leave to create a means my which the world can be saved and to prepare a place for all of us whom have believed in Him. He assured those who believed that not only would He prepare a place, but that He would return to to take the believers there with Him; "I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."

After Thomas asked to see God, Jesus assured him that he had been with the Father all along seeing that He, Jesus, and God are one in the same. Jesus told Thomas that if he couldn't believe He was the Father by His word, that He should believe because of the miraculous things Jesus had done.

Toward the end of the quote Jesus assured those of us who are saved that whatever we asked of Him, He will provide so that the Father might be glorified through Him.

In the final sentence of the quote Jesus said; "If ye love me, keep my commandments."~

Lesson 1091

(Lesson 1091)(09-10-14) John 13:33-38

"Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice."

In today's quote, Jesus offered a "new" commandment, He said; "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

We should pay close attention to what Jesus said in the quote. First He demands that His followers "love one another". Secondly, Jesus said, in essence, that His followers (true Christians) would be recognized in the whole world by how they treat others. If we look around ourselves today and see the hatred that is being spread by so many so-called "Christians", we can easily see just how few true Christians there really are according to that one standard set out by Jesus.

If when we meet someone, they claim to be a born again believer in Jesus Christ, and the first thing out of their mouth is a slur against some other person or group, we should refer them back to this lesson and explain that true believers are truly recognized by the way they treat others.

In the last part of the quote, after Peter had sworn to be absolutely faithful to Jesus, Jesus warned that Peter would deny Him three times before the next morning, and as we know, he did just that.

Today there are too many just like Peter, they talk the good talk, but when push comes to shove, they won't walk the commanded walk.

Pray for more teachers who will always be mindful to draw "Christianity" back to the true gospel of Jesus Christ.~

Lesson 1090

(Lesson 1090)(09-09-14) John 13:20-32

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night. Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him."

In the first part of today's quote Jesus gave authority to His Apostles to go and teach His gospel, saying, "He that receiveth *whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me."

*"Whomsoever" as it is applied in this text, includes those Apostles who were present with Jesus as well as those of us today who are charged to dispense the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jesus also exposed Judas as being the one who would betray Him and immediately sent him to lay the trap.

When Judas had left the group, Jesus said; " Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him."

This meant that the groundwork Jesus had laid for the coming of Christianity, and a means to eternal life, was glorified by God the Father and that the Father was also glorified by that work.

We, today, are to continue the work that Jesus assigned to His Apostles that day. We should gladly, and thankfully accept that challenge.~

Lesson 1089

(Lesson 1089)(09-08-14) John 13:1-19

"Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.

After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he."

In today's quote, Jesus, Himself washing the feet of the Apostles, established that there should be no one believer who is in any way superior to the others. That foot washing reflected the humility of Jesus and the expected humility among His followers.

The disavowing of a chain of command within the Church was borne out herein and stands true today. It exposes the papal structure of Roman Catholicism, and its spinoff sects, as a heretical farce and unauthorized by Jesus.

Jesus, very clearly, renounced the notion that Peter might have been the highest ranking Apostle, or that he, in any way, was "the father of the Church. Peter clearly had no authority over the other Apostles.

By washing the feet of the Apostles, Jesus performed a variation of the Jewish traditional baptismal cleansing. He did that in preparation for the soon to come transition His followers would undergo from the authority of the Law of Moses to the sanctification of His disciples through the Church He had already begun to establish. His Church would come to include all who would place their faith in Him including Gentiles. Thank you Lord!

Also herein, Jesus related that He already knew that Judas would soon betray Him to the Jews.~

Lesson 1088

(Lesson 1088)(09-07-14) John 12:44-Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak."

In today's lesson Jesus made His ultimate purpose very clear. He said that to believe in Him is to believe in God the Father.

He also made it clear that His mission was not to judge sinners, since they were already judged by God, therefore, the divine purpose of Jesus was to provide the means by which sinners through faith in Him could be redeemed and even justified, for their sins. Paul describes the ones whom have placed their faith in God through Jesus Christ; "Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin." (Romans 4:7-8)~

Lesson 1087

(Lesson 1087)(09-06-14) John 12:34-43

"The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.

These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them. But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God."

By demonstrating their reluctance to accept Jesus as the promised Messiah, the Jewish leadership, in the text of today's quote, demonstrated the fulfilling of yet another prophesy, "Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?" (Isaiah 53:1)

The refusal to believe in Jesus, demonstrated my many of the Jews, was a part of God's plan to provide a savior for the world. Isaiah also prohpesied that God would blind their eyes and harden their hearts so those Jews wouldn't hear and believe.

The last part of this lesson reflects much of today's "Christianity" in that like the Jews of Jesus' day, the so called "Christians" of today are far more interested in their outward appearance before the world than they are their inward appearance and devotion to God.

Jesus promised that a time will come when all those who take on the gospel of Jesus Christ, in appearance only, will be judged for their performance or the lack thereof. As Jesus said to the Church of the Laodiceans who exactly reflect much of today's "Church", "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." (Revelation 3:15-19)~

Lesson 1086

(Lesson 1086)(09-05-14) John:12:20-33

"And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die."

In today's quote Jesus told the Greeks, in essence, that in order to be productive in the work of the Lord, one must effectually die the physical death so that one could be born again and glorified in the spirit of Christ. And that one then must devote his/herself absolutely to that end.Jesus explained that His upcoming physical death was the central part of His divine mission so that through His own death, burial, and resurrection, the world could, through faith in Him, have everlasting life.

As Jesus, in anguish, defined His divine mission and His devotion to finish it, the voice of God spoke from heaven, saying "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again."

Thereby, God the Father openly glorified the life and work of Jesus, His only begotten Son.

The last part of the quote says, "now shall the prince of this world be cast out." That meant that through the death of Jesus, Satan had been effectually banished for those who would believe.
The last verse from today's quote is one of my very favorites, Jesus said, "if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."

What a blessing, the amazing saving grace of God.~

Lesson 1085

(Lesson 1085)(09-04-14) John 12:12-19

"On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him."

In today's lesson a great ritual was performed when Jesus triumphantly entered into Jerusalem with much fanfare among the people, fulfilling the prophecy that was made in Zechariah 9:9, "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass."

The Apostles wouldn't understand the reason for all the fanfare until later when God would again verify and glorify His Son, Jesus.

In the last part of this lesson, the Pharisees began to see that Jesus had already captured the hearts and minds of many of the Jews whom had believed in Him. They realized that unless they do something quickly, things would rapidly spiral out of their control. Little did they know that they were playing straight into God's plan for the redemption of those who would come to believe.~

Lesson 1084

(Lesson 1084)(09-03-14) John 12:9-11

"Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus."

The lesson in today's quote is that the Jewish leadership was so concerned about who might come to believe in Jesus that they actually contemplated killing Lazarus also because his return from the dead was such a potent testimony for the authenticity of Jesus as the Messiah.

We should continually reflect back to those times and the many miracles that Jesus performed as He established Himself as the perfect, sin free, 'one time fits all' sacrifice for the sins of the entire world. We should also give daily praise and glory to God for the amazing and everlasting grace that saved a "wretch like me".~

Lesson 1083

(Lesson 1083)(09-02-14) John 12:1-8

"Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.

Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always."

Today's quote relates how Judas was upset that Mary had applied a very expensive ointment to Jesus' feet, saying that it should have been sold to benefit the poor. That remark by Judas prompted Jesus to say, "the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always."

I'm sure we have all heard someone, who claims to wear the cloak of Christianity, say 'it's not my job to take care of the poor, Jesus said there would always be poor people.

That attitude has done great harm to the Church of today in that the money involved was not the point. The point Jesus made was that whatever we do, if it is done from a charitable heart of love, it is well worth doing.
Paul explains the importance of a charitable, caring heart; "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."

So we see that what Mary did in today's lesson, when she applied the very expensive ointment to Jesus feet, might not have been prudent by the standards of mankind, it was most certainly the Christian thing to do.

We should live our lives, every minute of every day, with the exact same frame of mind that Mary had when she anointed Jesus feet.~

　

Lesson 1082

(Lesson 1082)(09-01-14) John 11:47-57

"Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death. Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples. *And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves. Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast? Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him."

Within today's quote the the conspiracy to have Jesus captured, and crucified, is set into motion.

We see that Caiaphas, in his remarks to the Jews, inadvertently prophesied the divine mission of Jesus; "he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad."

*Verse fifty five of today's quote; "And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, TO PURIFY THEMSELVES.

It is important to note that to "purify" themselves physically, the Jews were required, by law, to undergo ritual water baptism. How can we know that this purification pertains to water baptism?

Strong's bible dictionary defines to "purify" as to "cleanse". We know that the quoted reference can only apply to one's physical condition in that in order for the Jews to cleanse their spirit, they were required to make offerings which they could not do until they had "purified" themselves physically.

Therefore verse fifty five confirms that water baptism (ritual purification) originated with the Jews and plays no role in Christianity.

The Jews were, by law, obligated to subject themselves to water "baptism" as a means of ceremonially cleansing (purifying) their physical bodies in preparation for any religious event, such as prayer, making offerings, or in this case, for participating in the Passover celebration.
When John said the Jews had come early to "purify themselves" he was, in essence, affirming that they had come early so as to undergo water baptism in one of the many *Mikvahs that were available around an in Jerusalem.

*A mikvah is a pool of running water expecially constructed for the performance of traditional Jewish water baptisms.

Fully understanding the why and how of water baptism should be very important to all of us in that water baptism is considered by the vast majority of "Christianity" to be a Holy sacrament, and a prerequisite to eternal life. Nothing could be further from the truth.

I am convinced that water baptism is a favorite tool of Satan, and that by placing ones faith in water baptism as a means of salvation, or faith in water baptism as a required step in the "process" of salvation, is a surefire way to assure oneself of eternal damnation.

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy: 2-15)~