(Lesson 2389)(06-30-18) Matthew 26:36-45
“Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.”
Today’s lesson demonstrates how those twelve men, hand picked by Jesus Himself, could not fully devote themselves to His protection for just a few hours during His most trying time. Sadly, today’s “Christians” would probably not remain on guart as long as did the apostles.~
Saturday, June 30, 2018
Friday, June 29, 2018
Lesson 2388
(Lesson 2388)(06-29-18) Matthew 26:31-35
“Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.”
Today’s lesson relates that all twelve of the apostles swore their absolute loyalty to Jesus by saying they would never deny Him. Peter was expecially adamant with His vow. As is recorded in an upcoming lesson, those promises of loyalty would soon be forsaken.
I wonder how many of us, who today profess our loyalty to Jesus, would stand firmly by Him under the same circumstances?~
“Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.”
Today’s lesson relates that all twelve of the apostles swore their absolute loyalty to Jesus by saying they would never deny Him. Peter was expecially adamant with His vow. As is recorded in an upcoming lesson, those promises of loyalty would soon be forsaken.
I wonder how many of us, who today profess our loyalty to Jesus, would stand firmly by Him under the same circumstances?~
Thursday, June 28, 2018
Lesson 2387
(Lesson 2387)(06-28-18) Matthew 26:26-30
“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.”
Today’s quote relates Matthew’s account of what has become known, in “Christian” circles, as either “communion” or “The Lord’s Supper”. It is very important to note that Matthew’s account of what is said and done during this time, is exactly the same as what is laid out in Mark’s account. However, Luke’s account, differs slightly from both Matthew and Mark, while John’s account does not mention the breaking of bread and drinking of wine at all. knowledge if very inportant because “communion” has become a ritual that is somehow tied to the maintinance of one’s own eternal soul.
When these lessons reach Luke’s accounting of Jesus’ final Passover meal, we will further expose the fallacy that is a part of this very important lesson. ~
“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.”
Today’s quote relates Matthew’s account of what has become known, in “Christian” circles, as either “communion” or “The Lord’s Supper”. It is very important to note that Matthew’s account of what is said and done during this time, is exactly the same as what is laid out in Mark’s account. However, Luke’s account, differs slightly from both Matthew and Mark, while John’s account does not mention the breaking of bread and drinking of wine at all. knowledge if very inportant because “communion” has become a ritual that is somehow tied to the maintinance of one’s own eternal soul.
When these lessons reach Luke’s accounting of Jesus’ final Passover meal, we will further expose the fallacy that is a part of this very important lesson. ~
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
Lesson 2385
(Lesson 2385)(06-26-18) Matthew 26:14-25
“Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him. Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover. Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.”
In today’s quote, Judas Iscariot bargained with the Jewish hierarchy to betray Jesus to His death.
Also, in the latter part of the quote, Jesus made it known that He had always known who it was that would betray Him.
This lesson spurs mixed emotions. On the one hand it makes us sad that Jesus was betrayed by one of His own and would be killed because of that betrayal. On the other hand, the lesson encourages gladness in the hearts of those who realize that Jesus would, of a necessity, sacrifice His own life for the sins of all of us who have, and will, place our faith in Him.~
“Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him. Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover. Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.”
In today’s quote, Judas Iscariot bargained with the Jewish hierarchy to betray Jesus to His death.
Also, in the latter part of the quote, Jesus made it known that He had always known who it was that would betray Him.
This lesson spurs mixed emotions. On the one hand it makes us sad that Jesus was betrayed by one of His own and would be killed because of that betrayal. On the other hand, the lesson encourages gladness in the hearts of those who realize that Jesus would, of a necessity, sacrifice His own life for the sins of all of us who have, and will, place our faith in Him.~
Monday, June 25, 2018
Lesson 2384
(Lesson 2384)(06-25-18) Matthew 26:1-13
“And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples, Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him. But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people. Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.”
There are two distinctly different lessons that should be taken from today’s quote. The first is that Jesus clearly stated the two purposes for His intering into Jerusalem; “he said unto his disciples, Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.” That is important because there is some confusion among “Christians” as to why Jesus assembled His apostles the evening before He was killed.
The first reason was the it was required of all Jews, according to Exodus chapter twelve, to observe the Passover in rememberance of their escape for Egyptian captivity. The second, and most important reason for His entry, was to fulfill His divine obligation to die as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all who would come to believe in Him.
The second lesson herein, is the story of the woman and her annointing of Jesus with the oil from the alabaster box. As Jesus explained, and justified, the efforts of the woman who had massaged His head with the expensive oil, He commanded that her story forever be told. Jesus said; “Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.”
The point I hope to make, by calling attention to this lesson, is that many in today’s churches will continually brow beat their congregations over church attentance, but seldom if ever, mention this, very forthright, commandment to tell the story of the woman and and her purpose with the oil in the alabaster box.~
“And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples, Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him. But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people. Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.”
There are two distinctly different lessons that should be taken from today’s quote. The first is that Jesus clearly stated the two purposes for His intering into Jerusalem; “he said unto his disciples, Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.” That is important because there is some confusion among “Christians” as to why Jesus assembled His apostles the evening before He was killed.
The first reason was the it was required of all Jews, according to Exodus chapter twelve, to observe the Passover in rememberance of their escape for Egyptian captivity. The second, and most important reason for His entry, was to fulfill His divine obligation to die as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all who would come to believe in Him.
The second lesson herein, is the story of the woman and her annointing of Jesus with the oil from the alabaster box. As Jesus explained, and justified, the efforts of the woman who had massaged His head with the expensive oil, He commanded that her story forever be told. Jesus said; “Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.”
The point I hope to make, by calling attention to this lesson, is that many in today’s churches will continually brow beat their congregations over church attentance, but seldom if ever, mention this, very forthright, commandment to tell the story of the woman and and her purpose with the oil in the alabaster box.~
Sunday, June 24, 2018
Lesson 2383
(Lesson 2383)(06-24-18) Matthew 25:31-46
“When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”
In today’s quote, and again by parable, Jesus demonstrated how the children of God are to care for thier fellow men/women. He Also offered the penalty for failing to do so.
This lesson is very fitting in today’s political climate. Jesus clearly demonstrated that those who claim to bear the cross of Jesus Christ then neglect to take responsibility and care for those in need, are none of His, but rather, have given themselves over to Satan and his angels.
Lets pray for those who desperately struggle day to day for their very existence, and pray also for our leaders that they do God’s will concerning those who are downtrodden.~
“When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”
In today’s quote, and again by parable, Jesus demonstrated how the children of God are to care for thier fellow men/women. He Also offered the penalty for failing to do so.
This lesson is very fitting in today’s political climate. Jesus clearly demonstrated that those who claim to bear the cross of Jesus Christ then neglect to take responsibility and care for those in need, are none of His, but rather, have given themselves over to Satan and his angels.
Lets pray for those who desperately struggle day to day for their very existence, and pray also for our leaders that they do God’s will concerning those who are downtrodden.~
Saturday, June 23, 2018
Sorry.
SoSorry but there will be no lesson posted today. I don’t have access to my pc. I promise I’ll try to do better. ðŸ¤
Friday, June 22, 2018
Lesson 2382
(Lesson 2382)(06-22-18) Matthew 25:14-30
“For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
In today’s quote, by using a parable, Jesus demonstrated how those among the children of God who don’t mulitply their faith, will be left out of the blessings when the day of His coming arrives.
This lesson should motivate all of us, who are the children of God, to do everything within our power to further the wonderful truth of the soul saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Praise God, that day is coming and soon will be. ~
“For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
In today’s quote, by using a parable, Jesus demonstrated how those among the children of God who don’t mulitply their faith, will be left out of the blessings when the day of His coming arrives.
This lesson should motivate all of us, who are the children of God, to do everything within our power to further the wonderful truth of the soul saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Praise God, that day is coming and soon will be. ~
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Lesson 2380
(Lesson 2380)(06-20-18) Matthew 24:6-51
“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
In today’s quote, Jesus laid out a list of the things that must occur before He returns to claim His kingdom.
I believe many of the things on that list have already happened and many more are happening every day. In the quote, Jesus made it clear that those of us who are saved and who have studied His divine word, can watch for the signs and get some idea of when that blessed day is coming.
I believe that the time is drawing closer with every passing hour. May God bless and save the souls of all those who have not yet come to trust in His supreme sacrifice.
Eternal salvation is free. One need only believe in the virgin birth, life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Son of almighty God.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith and that, not of yourselves, it is the GIFT of God."~
“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
In today’s quote, Jesus laid out a list of the things that must occur before He returns to claim His kingdom.
I believe many of the things on that list have already happened and many more are happening every day. In the quote, Jesus made it clear that those of us who are saved and who have studied His divine word, can watch for the signs and get some idea of when that blessed day is coming.
I believe that the time is drawing closer with every passing hour. May God bless and save the souls of all those who have not yet come to trust in His supreme sacrifice.
Eternal salvation is free. One need only believe in the virgin birth, life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Son of almighty God.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith and that, not of yourselves, it is the GIFT of God."~
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Lesson 2379
(Lesson 2379)(06-19-18) Matthew 24:3-5
“And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”
In today’s lesson, Jesus correctly predicted that there will be many false prophets who will rise claiming to be Jesus Himself. e, Having already been witness to several of those pretenders, we,the children of God, are to continue endlessly teaching our fellow men/women, to educate themselves to the word of God so that they are not deceived by the anti-Christs when they rise.~
“And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”
In today’s lesson, Jesus correctly predicted that there will be many false prophets who will rise claiming to be Jesus Himself. e, Having already been witness to several of those pretenders, we,the children of God, are to continue endlessly teaching our fellow men/women, to educate themselves to the word of God so that they are not deceived by the anti-Christs when they rise.~
Monday, June 18, 2018
Lesson 2377
(Lesson 2378)(06-17-18) Matthew 24:1-2
“ And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”
In today’s quote, Jesus told His disciples of the coming, and complete, distruction of the temple. And, just as Jesus said, not many years after He made that prophesy, Rome completely obliterated the Temple, and its accompanying buildings.
To date, the temple has not been rebuilt. The ground where it stood now houses “The Dome of the Rock”, the third most holy worship site among Muslims.
I’m convinced that eventually, before the return of our Lord, the temple of the Jews will be restored to it’s past glory on the same site where it stood when Jesus made that prophesy. ~
“ And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”
In today’s quote, Jesus told His disciples of the coming, and complete, distruction of the temple. And, just as Jesus said, not many years after He made that prophesy, Rome completely obliterated the Temple, and its accompanying buildings.
To date, the temple has not been rebuilt. The ground where it stood now houses “The Dome of the Rock”, the third most holy worship site among Muslims.
I’m convinced that eventually, before the return of our Lord, the temple of the Jews will be restored to it’s past glory on the same site where it stood when Jesus made that prophesy. ~
Sunday, June 17, 2018
Lesson 2377
(Lesson 2377)(06-17-18) Matthew 23:13-39
“But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.”
In today’s lesson, Jesus further berated the leadership of the Jews for their blatant, and sometimes cruel, hypocrisy.
As has been said before in these lessons, there are still today many who commit the exact same hypocritical sins as those of which the ancient Jews were guilty. ~
“But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.”
In today’s lesson, Jesus further berated the leadership of the Jews for their blatant, and sometimes cruel, hypocrisy.
As has been said before in these lessons, there are still today many who commit the exact same hypocritical sins as those of which the ancient Jews were guilty. ~
Saturday, June 16, 2018
Lesson 2376
(Lesson 2376)(06-16-18) Matthew 23:1-12
“Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”
In today’s quote, Jesus called out the hierarchy of the Jews, exposing them for the hypocrites they really were.
Sadly, today, there are still so-called church authorities who dress, and conduct themselves, much like those scribes and Pharisees Jesus described in today’s lesson. Roman Catholicism along with those denominations that have spun off from it, are a prime example of just that.
There is nothing in the New Testament that either advocates for, or condones, those kinds of self exaltation. As a matter of fact, in the latter part of this very lesson, Jesus instructed His on to set themselves apart from those types commanding that the least should be first and the greatest last in His church. We, the children of God are to remain humble among our brothers and sisters in Christ, and subject ourselves, first to the service of the Lord, then to the service of those less fortunate that we.~
“Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”
In today’s quote, Jesus called out the hierarchy of the Jews, exposing them for the hypocrites they really were.
Sadly, today, there are still so-called church authorities who dress, and conduct themselves, much like those scribes and Pharisees Jesus described in today’s lesson. Roman Catholicism along with those denominations that have spun off from it, are a prime example of just that.
There is nothing in the New Testament that either advocates for, or condones, those kinds of self exaltation. As a matter of fact, in the latter part of this very lesson, Jesus instructed His on to set themselves apart from those types commanding that the least should be first and the greatest last in His church. We, the children of God are to remain humble among our brothers and sisters in Christ, and subject ourselves, first to the service of the Lord, then to the service of those less fortunate that we.~
Friday, June 15, 2018
Lesson 2375
(Lesson 2375)(06-15-18) Matthew 22:41-46
“While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.”
Today’s quote relates that even David, the ancient Jewish patriarch, understood the Jesus was the Son of God, long before He ever came to earth.~
“While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.”
Today’s quote relates that even David, the ancient Jewish patriarch, understood the Jesus was the Son of God, long before He ever came to earth.~
Thursday, June 14, 2018
Lesson 2374
(Lesson 2374)(06-14-18) Matthew 22:31-40
“But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine. But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
In today’s lesson, Jesus made a profound statement as He summed up what it takes to be obedient to God’s laws. In order to be in total with God’s laws, we must ONLY love God with all that we are, and next importantly, we aret to love our fellow man/woman as we love ourselves.
Sadly, there are many who still, and wrongfully, believe that in order to be in accordance with the perfect will of God, one must be obedient to every law that was ever handed down from God. Jesus came to live a perfect life for those who will believe in Him, knowing that it is impossible for man/woman to be perfect before God.
Jesus made it perfectly clear in today’s quote, that those whom have accepted Jesus Christ, and who love God wholeheartedly, and love their neighbors unceasingly, are in full accordance with God’s will. ~
“But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine. But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
In today’s lesson, Jesus made a profound statement as He summed up what it takes to be obedient to God’s laws. In order to be in total with God’s laws, we must ONLY love God with all that we are, and next importantly, we aret to love our fellow man/woman as we love ourselves.
Sadly, there are many who still, and wrongfully, believe that in order to be in accordance with the perfect will of God, one must be obedient to every law that was ever handed down from God. Jesus came to live a perfect life for those who will believe in Him, knowing that it is impossible for man/woman to be perfect before God.
Jesus made it perfectly clear in today’s quote, that those whom have accepted Jesus Christ, and who love God wholeheartedly, and love their neighbors unceasingly, are in full accordance with God’s will. ~
Wednesday, June 13, 2018
Lesson 2373
(Lesson 2373)(06-13-18) Matthew 22:23-30
“The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. And last of all the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.”
In today’s quote, Jesus made the point that marriages will not be recognized in heaven. Rather, each redeemed individual will become as the angels.~
“The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. And last of all the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.”
In today’s quote, Jesus made the point that marriages will not be recognized in heaven. Rather, each redeemed individual will become as the angels.~
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
Lesson 2372
(Lesson 2372)(06-12-18) Matthew 22:15-22
“Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.”
Although today’s quote generally implies that paying one’s taxes is the right thing to do, to me, the most important part of the lesson is that the children of God are to obey the laws of the land, even when they appear to be in contrast with the established positions of the old Jewish laws and traditions.~
“Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.”
Although today’s quote generally implies that paying one’s taxes is the right thing to do, to me, the most important part of the lesson is that the children of God are to obey the laws of the land, even when they appear to be in contrast with the established positions of the old Jewish laws and traditions.~
Monday, June 11, 2018
Lesson 2371
(Lesson 2371)(06-11-18) Matthew 22:1-14
“And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage, But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise. And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.”
In today’s quote, Jesus, yet again in a parable, makes reference to the Jews as those who, scorning and violating his messengers, refused to attend the king’s wedding party.
The parable mirrors the fact that when the Jews rejected Jesus, the “chosen” status was taken from them and given to those, of all stripes, who would accept God’s grace through virgin birth, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.
The last of the parable demonstrates how those who appear at God’s final judgment without Jesus as their intercessor for their sins (wedding coat) will be rejected and cast into an eternal hell.~
“And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage, But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise. And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.”
In today’s quote, Jesus, yet again in a parable, makes reference to the Jews as those who, scorning and violating his messengers, refused to attend the king’s wedding party.
The parable mirrors the fact that when the Jews rejected Jesus, the “chosen” status was taken from them and given to those, of all stripes, who would accept God’s grace through virgin birth, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.
The last of the parable demonstrates how those who appear at God’s final judgment without Jesus as their intercessor for their sins (wedding coat) will be rejected and cast into an eternal hell.~
Sunday, June 10, 2018
Lesson 2370
(Lesson 2370)(06-10-18) Matthew 21:33-46
“Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.”
Again, by employing the use of a parable, Jesus explained why and how the “chosen” status was taken for the Jews to be distributed to all mankind, including the Gentilse.
That God that the redemption offered through faith in Jesus Christ was extended to all of us.~
“Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.”
Again, by employing the use of a parable, Jesus explained why and how the “chosen” status was taken for the Jews to be distributed to all mankind, including the Gentilse.
That God that the redemption offered through faith in Jesus Christ was extended to all of us.~
Saturday, June 9, 2018
Lesson 2369
(Lesson 2369)(06-09-18) Matthew 21:28-32
“But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.
In today’s quote, Jesus demonstrated to the Jewish leaders, by parable, that after having been given yet another chance to redeem themselves by obeying God’s will by heeding the message of John the Baptist and heeding the message of John the Baptist, had rather, chosen to reject the will of God. Because of that rejection, the keys to the kingdom of God would be, and were after Jesus completed His divine mission, handed over to the Gentiles.~
“But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.
In today’s quote, Jesus demonstrated to the Jewish leaders, by parable, that after having been given yet another chance to redeem themselves by obeying God’s will by heeding the message of John the Baptist and heeding the message of John the Baptist, had rather, chosen to reject the will of God. Because of that rejection, the keys to the kingdom of God would be, and were after Jesus completed His divine mission, handed over to the Gentiles.~
Friday, June 8, 2018
Lesson 2368
(Lesson 2368)(06-08-18) Matthew 21:23-27
“And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.”
In today’s quote, Jesus used the phrase “the baptism of John”, referring to the entirety of the overall message and actions of John the baptist. Jesus did that while challenging the Jewish hierarchy concerning their belief or disbelief in whether, or not, John’s message and actions were sanctioned by God.
There is a very important lesson to be learned from Jesus’ use of the phrase “baptism of John”.
That lesson is that the term ‘baptism’ was used to define, not the water immersion portion of what John accomplished, but rather, and more importantly, the phrase was intended to define the message that John conveyed.
One cannot believe, or disbelieve a water baptism. Since water baptism is an overt, physical action, it cannot be reasonably denied. Therefore, it is blatantly obvious that Jesus, when He applied the phrase, “the baptism of John”, was referring to the message that John conveyed, which was, “repent ye for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
This is yet another scriptural application of the term “baptism” that is not, in any way, related to water immersion.~
“And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.”
In today’s quote, Jesus used the phrase “the baptism of John”, referring to the entirety of the overall message and actions of John the baptist. Jesus did that while challenging the Jewish hierarchy concerning their belief or disbelief in whether, or not, John’s message and actions were sanctioned by God.
There is a very important lesson to be learned from Jesus’ use of the phrase “baptism of John”.
That lesson is that the term ‘baptism’ was used to define, not the water immersion portion of what John accomplished, but rather, and more importantly, the phrase was intended to define the message that John conveyed.
One cannot believe, or disbelieve a water baptism. Since water baptism is an overt, physical action, it cannot be reasonably denied. Therefore, it is blatantly obvious that Jesus, when He applied the phrase, “the baptism of John”, was referring to the message that John conveyed, which was, “repent ye for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
This is yet another scriptural application of the term “baptism” that is not, in any way, related to water immersion.~
Thursday, June 7, 2018
Lesson 2367
(Lesson 2367)(06-07-18) Matthew 21:17-22
“And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there. Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”
In the first part of today’s quote, Jesus condemned the olive tree for bearing no fruit. That jesture symbolized what had happened to the Jews because they had forsaken God and turned their obligation to Him into a scheme to multiply their own gain. The failure of the Jews is what triggered the need for the coming of Jesus and the new law of salvation by grace through faith.
In the second part of the quote, Jesus explained that any believer with sufficient faith in God, through Jesus Christ, could, not only kill an olive tree by simply by commanding it to die, but could accomplish anything he/she might conceive of, so long as their faith is perfect. What a generous and amazing savior we worship!~
“And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there. Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”
In the first part of today’s quote, Jesus condemned the olive tree for bearing no fruit. That jesture symbolized what had happened to the Jews because they had forsaken God and turned their obligation to Him into a scheme to multiply their own gain. The failure of the Jews is what triggered the need for the coming of Jesus and the new law of salvation by grace through faith.
In the second part of the quote, Jesus explained that any believer with sufficient faith in God, through Jesus Christ, could, not only kill an olive tree by simply by commanding it to die, but could accomplish anything he/she might conceive of, so long as their faith is perfect. What a generous and amazing savior we worship!~
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
Lesson 2366
(Lesson 2366)(06-06-18) Matthew 21:10-16
“And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased, And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?”
In today’s quote, Jesus expressed His outrage at those who were abusing the temple for their own gain. His actions set in motion the very course of actions that would eventually lead to His crucifixion.~
“And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased, And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?”
In today’s quote, Jesus expressed His outrage at those who were abusing the temple for their own gain. His actions set in motion the very course of actions that would eventually lead to His crucifixion.~
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
Lesson 2365
(Lesson 2365)(06-05-18) Matthew 21:1-
“ And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.”
“ And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.”
In today’s quote, Jesus made His celebrated entry into Jerusalem just prior to His captivity and eventual crucifixion.~
Monday, June 4, 2018
Lesson 2364
(Lesson 2364)(06-04-18) Matthew 20:29-34
“And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.”
In today’s quote, Jesus worked yet another miracle giving sight to two blind men.~
“And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.”
In today’s quote, Jesus worked yet another miracle giving sight to two blind men.~
Sunday, June 3, 2018
Lesson 2363
(Lesson 2363)(06-03-18) Matthew 20:20-28
“Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. 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 baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am 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. And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
Today’s lesson is a continuation of yesterdays. Therein, as we recall, Jesus told the mother of the Zebedee brothers that it was not His decision to make, that where her sons would be positioned in heaven would be the decision of God the Father.
In the latter part of the quote, Jesus informed all the apostles that there would be no ranking system in heaven. He said, in essence, that, in heaven, all would be equal, that those who would usually be considered the greatest among them would there be the servants of the lesser.
Imagine a place where the glorious grace of almighty God abounds in perpetuity and all things are equal for all people forever. Praise God for the promise of eternal heaven!~
“Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. 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 baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am 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. And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
Today’s lesson is a continuation of yesterdays. Therein, as we recall, Jesus told the mother of the Zebedee brothers that it was not His decision to make, that where her sons would be positioned in heaven would be the decision of God the Father.
In the latter part of the quote, Jesus informed all the apostles that there would be no ranking system in heaven. He said, in essence, that, in heaven, all would be equal, that those who would usually be considered the greatest among them would there be the servants of the lesser.
Imagine a place where the glorious grace of almighty God abounds in perpetuity and all things are equal for all people forever. Praise God for the promise of eternal heaven!~
Saturday, June 2, 2018
Lesson 2362
(Lesson 2362)(06-02-18) Matthew 20:20-28
“Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. 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 baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am 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. And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
Today’s commentary will deal only with what Jesus told the son’s of Zebedee. We will cover the remainder of the quote tomorrow.
Therein, Jesus asked if the sons of Zebedee, in essence, if were prepared to go through the ordeal that He was about to endure. In the question, Jesus referred to obligation to endure the ordeal of His upcoming death, burial and resurrection as having been “baptized” (appointed).
There is a very, very important point to be made herein concerning the use of the term “baptized”, as it is applied in today’s quote in reference to the task that Jesus was sent to accomplish. The Greek word from which the word “baptized” was transliterated, as it is applied in today’s quote, is, ‘baptizo’.
The importance of this lesson is to note that the Greek word ‘baptizo’ is the same word that was transliterated to be used in some circumstances in reference to a water immersion. Obviously, we have the same word, ‘baptizo’, used to define two explicitly different actions and having two distinctly different meanings, or intents.
I’ve made that point in order to demonstrate that the word “baptism”, as it is applied many times in the New Testament, is rarely applied in reference to water immersion. The several usages of the term “baptize”, define almost as many different actions as usages, as we will establish as these lessons continue.~
“Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. 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 baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am 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. And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
Today’s commentary will deal only with what Jesus told the son’s of Zebedee. We will cover the remainder of the quote tomorrow.
Therein, Jesus asked if the sons of Zebedee, in essence, if were prepared to go through the ordeal that He was about to endure. In the question, Jesus referred to obligation to endure the ordeal of His upcoming death, burial and resurrection as having been “baptized” (appointed).
There is a very, very important point to be made herein concerning the use of the term “baptized”, as it is applied in today’s quote in reference to the task that Jesus was sent to accomplish. The Greek word from which the word “baptized” was transliterated, as it is applied in today’s quote, is, ‘baptizo’.
The importance of this lesson is to note that the Greek word ‘baptizo’ is the same word that was transliterated to be used in some circumstances in reference to a water immersion. Obviously, we have the same word, ‘baptizo’, used to define two explicitly different actions and having two distinctly different meanings, or intents.
I’ve made that point in order to demonstrate that the word “baptism”, as it is applied many times in the New Testament, is rarely applied in reference to water immersion. The several usages of the term “baptize”, define almost as many different actions as usages, as we will establish as these lessons continue.~
Friday, June 1, 2018
Lesson 2361
(Lesson 2361)(05-31-18) Matthew 20:17-19
“And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
In today’s lesson, Jesus again told the twelve apostles that He was about to be betrayed to the scribes and chief priests and ultimately crucified for the sins of all mankind.~
“And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
In today’s lesson, Jesus again told the twelve apostles that He was about to be betrayed to the scribes and chief priests and ultimately crucified for the sins of all mankind.~
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