Lesson 1636

(Lesson 1636)(03-230-16) Mark 3:1-6

"And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him. And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth. And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him."

Today's quote tells us how Jesus healed the crippled hand of a man inside the temple as the Pharisees watched. He knew they would conspire to condemn Him for the good deed He had done simply because He did it on the Sabbath, the designated day of rest for the Jews.

This lesson should teach us that there is no appropriate, nor is there an inappropriate, time to do good works. We should be able and willing to perform the will of God every second of every day throughout our entire Christian lives. Our spiritual life and love for our fellow man, should NOT be simply restricted to the two or three times per week, if we feel like it, we might go down to the local "church". However, and very, very sadly, it seems that modern "Christianity" has become a part time job of convenience for the New Age "Christian".~

Lesson 1635

(Lesson 1635)(03-29-16) Mark 2:23-28

"And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn. And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful? And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him? How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him? And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath."

In today's quote, Jesus made it vividly clear to the Pharisees that His judgment, having all power bestowed upon Him by God the Father, supercedes the rules of the old Law. He explained that the rules of the Sabbath were made to benefit mankind and that they were not instituted to lay a stumbling block in his/her path.

We should note that upon the completion of His sacrificial ordeal (His "baptism" as He described it) and His return to the Father, Jesus fulfilled every element of the old Law for those of us whom have placed our faith in Him and choose to live by His light. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." (Romans 8:1-4)~

Lesson 1634

(Lesson 1634)(03-28-16) Mark 2:21-22

"No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles."

In today's quote, by making the reference to not putting new patches on old cloth and not putting new wine into old bottles, Jesus was making the point that His new law of salvation by grace through faith could not be intermixed with nor added onto the old Law of Moses. The new gospel was to be stand alone and taken as an alternative to the Law and was NOT to be taken as an addition to that old law.

As is clearly established throughout the New Testament, the old Law was fulfilled by Jesus so that that His new law of faith could come into being. No longer are those who seek redemption required to obey every element of the Law of Moses by living above sin and making animal sacrifices for human errors, as were the ancient Jews. Jesus lived a sinless life and made the supreme sacrifice for everyone who will place their absolute faith in Him.

Faith in Jesus Christ not only removes accountability for sin and pays the sacrificial debt, that faith actually JUSTIFIES our sin. That is made very clear in Romans 4:4-8: "Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that JUSTIFIETH the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 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."~

Lesson 1633

(Lesson 1633)(03-27-16) Mark 2:18-20

"And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days."

In today's quote Jesus informed the Pharisees that so long as He was among His followers they had no need to mourn (fast). Jesus knew that there would soon come a time when He would no longer be able to sit with His people.

Today is the day most "Christian" people have chosen to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Sadly, this most blessed day has been tarnished by those who would have us make it into just another day devoted to commercialism. Therefore, it behooves all of us who worship Him to get on our knees today and offer thanks to God for sending His only begotten Son so that we all have a means of eternal salvation. Had Jesus risen from the grave those many years ago, leaving the sins of the world in the grave, we would have no other means of salvation other than to live perfectly in the eyes of God. I am most thankful that those blessed words were spoken, "He is risen".~

Lesson 1632

(Lesson 1632)(03-26-16) Mark 2:13-And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Today's quote relates that Jesus dined with Levi, a publican (tax collector). The scribes and Pharisees frowned upon eating with publicans because they considered them to be "unclean" and Jews were to refrain from consorting with the unclean.

When the Pharisees challenged Jesus, He replied, "They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

If any man/woman could live without sin, he/she would have no need of the redeeming grace of Jesus Christ, however, we "all have sinned" and therefore we all stand in need of the great "physician" that is our Lord Jesus Christ. ~

Lesson 1631

(Lesson 1631)(03-25-16) Mark 2:1-12

"And again he entered into Capernaum, after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion."

Today's quote tells of Jesus' return to Capernaum where He continued to amaze the people as He preached the word of God and healed those who had faith in Him.

Lesson 1630

(Lesson 1630)(03-24-16) Mark 1:35-45

"And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. And Simon and they that were with him followed after him. And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee. And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth. And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils. And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away; And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter."

Today's lesson relates how Jesus continued throughout the region performing miracles of healing.

It is important to note that in the latter part of the lesson, Jesus told a leper, whom He had healed, to tell no one about what had happened, but rather to go straight and show the priests what Jesus had done. Jesus also told the leper to make those sacrifices for healing that were required under the Law of Moses. The point of the gesture was to make sure that the man appeared to the priests as having stayed in compliance with the requirements of the Law, seeing that it would remain in full effect until Jesus had completed His soul saving mission, and had returned to be with the Father.

It behooves us all to remember that the gospel of Jesus Christ, salvation by grace through faith, could not be fully accomplished until Jesus had wholly established that gospel by subjecting Himself to a physical death, burial, resurrection and ascension.~

Lesson 1629

(Lesson 1629)(03-23-16) Mark 1:29-34

"And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them. And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. And all the city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him."

Today's quote relates how Jesus began His massive campaign of healing, and because of His miracles of healing, more and more people sought Him out and began to follow and believe in Him.~

Lesson 1628

(Lesson 1628)(03-22-16) Mark 1:21-28

"And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee."

Today's quote relates how Jesus demonstrated His authority over the spirits of Satan. The quote also demonstrates how Jesus impressed the people with His divine knowledge of Hebrew law.

Jesus' actions that day in the temple was the beginning of His rapid rise to Fame in the region, which would also, erroneously, lead to His soul redeeming crucifixion.~

Lesson 1627

(Lesson 1627)(03-21-16) Mark 1:16-20

"Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him."

In today's quote, Jesus began the selection of what would eventually be His twelve apostles.

We should note that when Jesus called "Simon" (Peter) and his brother Andrew, and in essence all His apostles, He said, "I will make you to become fishers of men." This is important because today, we who label ourselves as the children of God and followers of Christ, should also refer to ourselves with the exact same title. We are indeed "fishers of men". Our job and devotion should be to bring the grace of God through His divine word to all those who are willing to listen.~

Lesson 1626

(Lesson 1626)(03-20-16) Mark 1:14-15

"Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."

After Jesus returned from Satan's temptation He began to preach the "gospel"; "The time is fulfilled, and THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND".

What we, today, refer to as "the Christian gospel" could not be what is referenced in today's quote. Jesus, at that time, taught a message of repentance and preparation to the Jews. The Christian gospel that we preach today could not yet have been preached because Jesus had not fulfilled His divine destination as a perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world. Therefore, the "gospel" that Jesus is herein said to have preached is the same (gospel) message that John the Baptist taught as a part of "the baptism of John", "In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND."

That "gospel" message is also the same "gospel" Jesus instructed His apostles to preach; "These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND." (Matthew 10:5-7).

It is important to note that the Christian gospel is not the same as the "gospel" that was taught to the Jews during Jesus' ministry. The gospel to the Jews of Jesus' day stated that they should repent their ways and prepare for the coming of the Messiah. The Christian gospel of Jesus Christ is salvation by grace through faith in the life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ.~

Lesson 1625

(Lesson 1625)(03-19-16) Mark 1:12-13

"And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him."

Today's quote relates Mark's account of Satan's temptation of Jesus. Matthew chapter 4:1-11 gives a much more detailed account of the temptations of Jesus Christ; "Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him." ~

Lesson 1624

(Lesson 1624)(03-18-16) Mark 1:9-11

"And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Today's quote is the Matthew account of the water baptism of Jesus which was in accordance with the laws of God, and thereby required of all ancient Jews who were entering into any kind of religious service. Seeing that Jesus was a Jew, He was also bound by the law and was required to submit Himself for the Jewish ritual of water baptismal cleansing. Had He not submitted to water baptism, He would have been a worthy sacrifice.

After Jesus completed His baptism and arose from the water, God, the Father, said, "Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." That part of the quote is very important because as Jesus completed His water baptism, He fulfilled the requirements of the old law which allowed God to recognize Him as His only begotten Son and worthy of the task that laid before Him.

It behooves us to note that Jesus was not baptized in water to become the Son of God, He was baptized in water because He already was the Son of God, a human man who was required to live perfectly, fully following the Law of Moses in order to qualify as a wholly righteous man worthy of being a sacrifice for the sins of the world. ~

Lesson 1623

(Lesson 1623)(03-17-16) Mark 1:5-8

"And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost."

In today's lesson, John explains that the water baptism he performed was NOT the baptism that saves the eternal soul. He made it clear that Jesus, who would come after him, was the one who would indeed bring the baptism of the Holy Ghost upon those who would believe in Him. That baptism does indeed save and sanctify the eternal souls of the lost.

The quote says that Jews, in obedience to Old Testament Hebrew law, came from all over that area to submit themselves to the water baptism that John the Baptist performed. That baptism was done so that their bodies, again according to the old law, would be ritually cleansed before repenting in preparation for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.~

Lesson 1622

(Lesson 1622)(03-16-16) Mark 1:1-4

"The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins."

Today's lesson further confirms our interpretation of Matthew 28:19 and relates part of Mark's account of the appearance, as well as the divinely inspired message and actions, of John the baptist.

Herein, the author of Mark's account states very clearly that John the baptist was divinely sent by God the Father to prepare the Jewish people for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and His new law of salvation by grace through faith.

Note that John's only instruction was to "prepare ye the way of the Lord". He was NOT instructed to preach the gospel of Christ, nor was he to preach the method by which lost souls achieve eternal salvation.

John the Baptist could not have known what the gospel of Christ would be until Jesus had created that gospel and had fulfilled His divine designation by offering His own life as a one-time-fits-all sacrifice for the sins of the world. John's message of, 'baptism unto (toward) repentance', was NOT a means by which one can be saved. This is proved out by Apollos' example in Acts 18:24-26; "And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, KNOWING ONLY THE BAPTISM OF JOHN. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, AND EXPOUNDED UNTO HIM THE WAY OF GOD MORE PERFECTLY." Although Apollos was a devout man, capable and willing to preach, he was not properly prepared to preach the gospel because he only knew the message of "baptism unto repentance" that was preached by John the Baptist and therefore was taught to preach "more perfectly" the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I refer to all this because so many still cling to the erroneous contention that water baptism, as John performed it, is a required step in a process that eventually culminates in the salvation of one's eternal soul. Salvation is NOT a process, it is a simple, one step action achieved by grace through faith. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8)

Just as verse four of today's quote states, John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. He not only baptized the willing in water, he also preached the message (baptism) that God instructed him to preach. All Jews were required by Old Testament law to be cleansed in water before taking part in any religious ordeal. Therefore, John's water baptism was simply a required ritual that prepared the Jews for the coming of Jesus Christ.~

Lesson 1621

(Lesson 1621)(03-15-16) Matthew 28:16-20

"Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

Today's lesson will finish our study into the actual instructions Jesus left us in Matthew 28:16-20.

It is attributed to Jesus as having uttered the word baptize, or one of its grammatical variations, baptism, baptizing, etc, not including the repetitions of different accounts, a total of only eleven times during His entire ministry. Six of those usages appear in Matthew 20:22-23, "But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be (1)baptized with the (2)baptism that I am (3)baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be (4)baptized with the (5)baptism that I am (6)baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father."

Two more usages are found in Luke 12:60, "But I have a (7)baptism to be (8)baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!"
Another usage is found in Matthew 28:19, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, (9)baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost".

Two more usages are found in Acts 1:5, "For John truly (10)baptized with water; but ye shall be (11) baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."

Of all those eleven usages, Jesus applied the term "baptized" only once in reference to the use of water as the medium into which the baptisms were to occur. That usage is found in Acts 1:5 when Jesus, referring to John the Baptist, said "For John truly baptized with water".

Jesus used variations of the term baptize to describe His own crucifixion, He used the term to describe the taking on, or overwhelming, of the Holy Ghost, He used the term to describe the message that John the Baptist brought to the Jews. But He, only once, used any variation of the term "baptize" in reference to a water immersion.

From this information it becomes very obvious that physical water immersion was of little importance to the message Jesus came to teach. However, the baptism of the Holy Ghost as well as the baptism of one's eternal soul, by faith, into the spiritual body of Christ and thereby into His death, burial and resurrection, was, and is, profoundly important to His message. As a matter of fact, those baptisms are fundamental to the entire gospel of Jesus Christ.

Formed from all this information, it is my opinion that Matthew 28:19 instructs us to go all over the world and teach the complete concept of our one true, living God in all of His three distinctly different appearances. "The Father", the Alpha and Omega, He is our omnipotent creator and the only entity to whom we will all be ultimately required to answer. "The Son", He is, through faith in Him, our ONLY intercessor before the Father for the sin inherent in all of us since the fall of Adam. "The Holy Ghost", He is our personal, day to day, contact with the Father, our strength, our healer, and our comfort.

Baptism into this concept is what Christians are to preach.~

Lesson 1620

(Lesson 1620)(03-14-16) Matthew 28:16-20

"Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

Today's lesson is an explanation of the three differently functioning parts of the Holy Triune, God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.

First, let me say that God is indeed omnipotent and He has known the future of mankind from his creation until his final judgment. God didn't change His mind and adjust His policies as things went along, everything that has happened in the history of mankind, as well as those things that will happen in the future, were, and are known, and were a part of God's plan from the very beginning.

As a punishment for his disobedience in the Garden of Eden, Adam, the matriarch of all humanity, and through his actions ALL mankind, were wholly separated from God until such a time as God provided some means of atonement for disobedience.

God the Father dealt with the future of man directly established laws (recorded in the Old Testament) by which mankind was to conduct his life. He further provided a means of atonement for the disobedience of those laws. That atonement required verbal admission of sins and the offering of certain sacrifices for each individual sin. I will venture to say that God knew all along that mankind would NOT obey those laws because they were being broken as they were being issued and thereby demanded the arrival of "God, the Son".

During this time, "God, the Father" communicated with His people through angels and His divinely inspired prophets. Seeing (and knowing) that mankind was incapable of obeying even the simplest of instructions, God saw fit to offer a 'one time fits all' human sacrifice for the sins of everyone who would freely accept that sacrifice. Therefore, God the Father sent God, the human Son to live the life of a human man, (which Jesus did without sin) so as to be the perfect 'one time fits all' sacrifice for ALL the sins of the world.

After Jesus had finished His New Testament ministry, His death, burial, resurrection and ascension, "God, the Holy Ghost" was sent to be an intermediary between mankind and his redeemer, Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit of God is the only source of strength and comfort for those of us who are eternally saved, He is also our means of communication with Jesus Christ, the Son, who stands as our intercessor before God the Father.

In Matthew 28:19 Jesus instructed His apostles, and thereby us, to do everything in our power to spread the amazing grace of God justifying them by the means He has provided through the three parts of the Holy Triune, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

We are to immerse (baptize) the lost into the saving knowledge of the three individual parts of God.~

Lesson 1619

(Lesson 1619)(03-13-16) Matthew 28:16-20

"Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

Today's lesson is a continuance from yesterday's determination of the intent of Matthew 28:16-20.

We have so far determined that the term "baptizing", as it is applied in Matthew 28:19 does not refer to an immersion into, (or sprinkling by), water. Rather, "baptizing", as that term is applied in Matthew 28:19, refers to an immersion into, or educating as to, the concept of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost.

The statement made by Jesus that precedes the instruction to "baptize" further confirms that what we have so far determined to be true.

When Jesus said, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations", He was relating that His apostles were to "teach", or instruct, all nations, to educate them, or to make sure that they were made aware of, and understood. When He then said, "baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost", He was telling His apostles WHAT they were to teach, which in fact was the overall concept of the Father, the Son and the holy Ghost.

To put that instruction in common English terms, Jesus would have said, Go all over the world and teach everyone about God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost and what part each plays in the salvation of ones eternal soul.

If we are to take the instruction Jesus gave in Matthew 28:19 to mean that we should literally immerse "all nations" in water, as so many wrongfully insist we should, it makes what Jesus required of us, an impossible task. We can today indeed teach "all nations" by preaching the bible on television and on the world wide computer web. We CANNOT, however, baptize "all nations" in water.~

NOTE: Tomorrow we will determine the individual functions of, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost and why the Holy Triune is so important to all Christianity.

Lesson 1618

(Lesson 1618)(03-12-16) Matthew 28:16-20

"Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

In today's lesson we will dig further into what Jesus meant when He 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"
Yesterday we demonstrated that not every usage of the term "baptize" implies that the medium into which a baptism is to occur, is necessarily water. In Luke 12:50, Jesus said, "But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!" Jesus had already been baptized in water, by John, when He made this statement. That statement could not have possibly been in reference to another water baptism.

The term baptize, as it was originally intended, can be applied with almost any medium. For example, one who adheres to the doctrine of Satanism is effectually 'baptized' into Satanism, simply by taking upon oneself that idiotic philosophy. As a matter of fact, and very sadly, many today have indeed, baptized themselves into Satanism.

In all actual and literal truth, to be baptized into Christ is to fully submit ones spiritual self to His teachings and to the sacrifice He underwent for the sins of the world and to wholly believe His sacrifice eradicated that one's entire sinful nature, not within his/her physical body, but within his/her inner spirit. In effect, to become one with Jesus Christ in the spirit.

Now, lets apply that to today's lesson. Jesus said we should be baptized "in the name of" the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Again, sadly, there are millions who erroneously believe that that "in the name of" means that we should be baptized in water by the authority of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Nothing could be further from the truth! Jesus actually meant that we should educate everyone as to the existence of the Holy Triune, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

The following is and example demonstrating that "the name of" is something that can be preached, or taught. (Acts 8:12) "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, AND THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, they were baptized, both men and women." Philip had peached "the things concerning the kingdom of God," (The Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost) AND he preached the NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. Those who accepted and took upon themselves the message Philip had preached WERE baptized. They had taken upon themselves the message that Philip preached. Belief in the words that Philip preached baptized the people into the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Just as Jesus required in Matthew 28:19.

Firstly if we take the statement in Matthew 28:19 as so many today do, it would say that we should baptize everyone into water into the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, clearly implying two separate baptisms. That's not at all what the text intends, it very clearly states that we are simply to 'immerse' (Actual meaning of the word) everyone into the knowledge of, or concept of, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and to LEAVE them there. Which, with further translation, means to educate everyone to the idea of the amazing existence and saving grace of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Because without knowing that concept one cannot possibly understand how, or even why, simply believing in Jesus Christ can save ones eternal soul.~

NOTE: This lesson will be further examined tomorrow.

Lesson 1617

(Lesson 1617)(03-11-16) Matthew 28:16-20

"Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

Today's quote contains one of the most misinterpreted and misunderstood passages to be found anywhere in the New Testament. It is the Matthew account of the final instructions Jesus left for His apostles.
It behooves every student of the bible to dig deeply into what is actually intended by this lesson and to take from this lesson exactly what the instruction it is intended to convey.

In the first part of this text, Jesus affirmed that "all power" had been assigned to Him by our Father in heaven. He then very clearly instructed that, on His behalf, His followers should go into every part of the earth and preach His gospel, "baptizing" everyone in the *"name of" the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.

To better understand the instructions in this passage, we must first understand the meaning, and intent, of the words that are used to convey those instructions.

Sadly, there are far too many "Christians" today who, every time they see or hear the word "baptize", or one of its grammatical variations, baptizing, baptized, baptism etc, immediately relate it to some form of immersion or sprinkling with water. That thinking is entirely wrong and is NOT what is intended by today's quote.

As the term "baptize" is applied in the New Testament, it is very seldom used in reference to the use of water and our present day baptismal ritual. In most instances, it's usage is in reference to something else entirely, such as the immersion of one's spiritual self into the actual body of Christ.

The word "baptize" itself is a **transliteration of the Greek word baptizo, which simply means 'to immerse' an item into something and leave it there so as to accomplish a certain outcome, such as, in the case of being "baptized into Christ" is the salvation of one's eternal soul.

The only place I've ever been able to find the word "baptizo" applied as it should be in Greek conversation is found in a recipe for pickling referenced below. "In the recipe, Nicander used both the terms "bapto", (which simply means to dip and immediately remove and is much more suited to today's water baptism ritual), and "baptizo" (which means to place within and leave within until the desired effect is achieved).
The following was copied from an explanation from "Bible Study Magazine, James Montgomery Boice, May 1989. "Not to be confused with ***911, bapto. The clearest example that shows the meaning of baptizo is a text from the Greek poet and physician Nicander, who lived about 200 B.C. It is a recipe for making pickles and is helpful because it uses both words. Nicander says that in order to make a pickle, the vegetable should first be 'dipped' (bapto) into boiling water and then 'baptised' (baptizo) in the vinegar solution. Both verbs concern the immersing of vegetables in a solution. But the first is temporary. The second, the act of baptising the vegetable, produces a permanent change. When used in the New Testament, this word more often refers to our union and identification with Christ than to our water baptism. e.g.Mark 16:16. 'He that believes and is baptised shall be saved'. Christ is saying that mere intellectual assent is not enough. There must be a union with him, a real change, like the vegetable to the pickle!" (Bible Study Magazine, James Montgomery Boice, May 1989.)

It is clear that the word 'bapto' more closely applies to today's ritual of water baptism than does 'baptizo'. This is true because in the baptismal ritual one is simply dipped into the water and immediately brought back out. If one was truly 'baptizoed' as the term truly implies, that one would surely drown. However.
* "The name of" is a phrase that is used to define a lesson that could, and can, be taught. The phrase directly corresponds to the teaching of the gospel as Jesus instructed in today's quote.

** A transliteration is simply a sound-alike word that is used to replace another from the original language. A transliteration does NOT define or explain the meaning or intent of the term it replaces.

*** 911 is a reference number used by Strong's bible dictionary to identify the greek word "bapto".

This lesson will be a long and somewhat complicated one, therefore we will spend tomorrow as well as the necessary number of days to make sure that it is thoroughly understood. Bear with me, and pray for me as I attempt to relate this lesson as it was originally intended to be taught. If anyone has any questions, at any time during this lesson, it is my prayer that you will be sure to ask them.~

Lesson 1616

(Lesson 1616)(03-10-16) Matthew 28:11-15

"Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day."

Today's quote details the conspiracy that was concocted between the high priests and the Roman soldiers that was meant to deceive the people by convincing them that Jesus' body had been stolen by His disciples and that He had not actually risen from the dead.

Thank God the truth was made known so that the true gospel of Jesus Christ could be known and preached throughout the world, allowing those of us whom have placed our faith in Him to be eternally saved.~

Lesson 1615

(Lesson 1615)(03-09-16) Matthew 28:1-10

"] In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 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. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me."

Today's quote contains three of the most precious and important words that have ever been spoken in any language. Those three words are, "He is risen".

What a wonderful and glorious even! A perfectly righteous Jesus took the sins of all mankind upon His back to the depths of the grave and left them there to arise and overcome death so that the eternal souls of all who will place their faith in Him can, and will, be saved.

As those women to whom the angel had witnessed the resurrection of Jesus ran to tell the apostles, Jesus appeared to them and said, "Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me."~

Lesson 1614

(Lesson 1614)(03-08-16) Matthew 27:57-66

When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre. Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch."

In today's quote, after Joseph had secured the body of Jesus in His own tomb, the Jewish high priests made a deal with Pilate to place guards at Joseph's tomb to assure that Jesus body could not be stolen by His disciples.~

Lesson 1613

(Lesson 1613)(03-07-16) Matthew 27:51-56

"And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children."

Today's quote tells of the earthquake that occurred as Jesus died. In a part of this lesson that is very seldom talked about, that quake not only damaged the temple, as Jesus had earlier prophesied, it also opened the graves of many of the saints allowing them to rise again so that they were later seen witnessing in Jerusalem.

The Centurion and his Roman guards were so impressed by what had happened they openly confessed that Jesus was indeed the Son of God.~

Lesson 1612

(Lesson 1612)(03-06-16) Matthew 27:32-50

"And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. And sitting down they watched him there; And set up over his head his accusation written, This Is Jesus The King Of The Jews. Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth. Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias. And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost."

Today's lesson relates a physically and emotionally horrible day for those who were close to Jesus, the man. That day was also a spiritually blessed day for those who trusted Him as the only begotten Son of God then, as well as those of us who today adore Him and have chosen to put our faith in His life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension, to forgive, and to justify, all our sins to the absolute and eternal salvation of our souls.

Where would we be without the horrible yet blessed events of that day?~

Lesson 1611

(Lesson 1611)(03-05-16) Matthew 27:11-31

"And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly. Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him."

Today's quote details the mock trial that was given to Jesus and how He was betrayed and horribly treated by His own people, the Jews.

Pilate, the designated prosecutor for the Romans, after the Jews had disallowed him to free Jesus by statute, and after Jesus had appeared before him totally innocent, "took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it". He thereby placed the responsibility for the death of Jesus onto the Jews to which they said, "let His blood be on us and on our children."~

(Lesson 1610)(03-04-16) Matthew 27:1-10

"When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me."

Today's quote relates the actions of Judas as he realized the horrible extent of what he had done by betraying our Lord Jesus Christ. Out of the overwhelming guilt Judas suffered, he returned the blood money to the high priests and went and hanged himself.
The high priests, fulfilling a prophesy, took the thirty pieces of silver and bought "The Potters Field."~

Lesson 1609

(Lesson 1609)(03-03-16) Matthew 26:69-75

"Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly."

Today's lesson demonstrates how weak Peter's devotion to Jesus truly was. Yet Peter is the man who the Roman Catholics refer to as the first "pope" and the man to whom they have erroneously granted all power and authority over the church Jesus established.

Peter's faith appears to have been weaker than that of most of the other apostles. It was most certainly much, much weaker that the faith Paul constantly displayed after his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus.

I wonder how those of us who claim the mantel of Christianity would react if faced with the same situation that faced Peter that fateful night? I'm sure we would all love to believe we would have stayed by Jesus' side until they chased us away.
Although Peter was not condemned for his denial because he later repented, it behooves us all to ponder that question carefully because someday those who are lost with out Jesus will be faced with the same options, either go with Jesus and inherit eternal live, or reject Him and spend an eternity apart from God in the fiery pit with Satan.~

Lesson 1608

(Lesson 1608)(03-03-16) Matthew 26:57-68

"And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?"

Today's lesson details the horrible treatment Jesus endured at the hands of the Jewish hierarchy as they falsely convicted Him of blasphemy. When Jesus was asked if He was the Christ and asked to defend Himself against blasphemy, Jesus offered nothing in His own defense except to say, "Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven."

As we all know, Jesus was then and is now, indeed, the only begotten Son of almighty God.~

Lesson 1607

(Lesson 1607)(03-01-16) Matthew 26:47-56

"And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled."

Today's quote details the betrayal and taking of Jesus. All these things were done, "that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled."
It also demonstrates how the apostles all abandoned Jesus to His divine fate.~