Lesson 3285

 (Lesson 3285)(12-31-20) Mark 7:5-8

    “Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.”

    I have, today, only posted a part of the lesson that Jesus was relating to the scribes and Pharisees. I did this in order to draw attention to a very important lesson within a lesson that is established in today’s part of the overall quote. We will review the lesson in it’s entirety tomorrow.

    We should pay close attention to what Jesus actually said, “This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING FOR DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN. For laying aside the commandment of God, YE HOLD THE TRADITION OF MEN, AS THE WASHING OF POSTS AND CUPS: and many other such like things ye do.” 

    Jesus was making the very clear point that mere washing in water, such as what occurs with water baptism, DOES NOT wash away sins.~

Lesson 3284

 (Lesson 3284)(12-30-20) Mark 7:1-4

    “ Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.”

   Today’s quote relates that the Scribes and Pharisees became upset with the followers of Jesus because they didn’t wash their hands before eating. An act that violated Judean law and tradition.

    Also found in today’s quote, other than the account of Jesus’ baptism, is the first important mention of the Judean tradition of ritual washing (cleansing by, or baptizing in, water). A ritual that was required of all Jews before they were allowed to take part in certain activities, such as was related in today’s application, eating.

    Although the word “washing”, as it is applied in today’s quote, was transliterated from the Greek word, ‘baptismous’, a word derived from the Greek root word ‘baptizo', it bears the same Greek definition as does the the word baptizo itself. Both words literally mean to place something into a certain solution or condition so as to permanently alter its character.

    My point in bringing this information out is that neither the ritual of water baptism nor the ritual of hand washing have a foundation in Christianity, but rather is a tradition of the Judean religion. That ritual was picked up and incorporated into Roman Catholicism at it’s very beginning and has been erroneously handed down, and accepted by, most all of today’s “Christian” religious sects.~

Lessonn 3283

 (Lesson 3283)(12-29-20) Mark 6:45-56

    “And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore. And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him, And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.”

    Today’s lesson relates how Jesus walked on water to His apostles. It also relates how He continued to heal many ill and infirm who came to Him in faith.~

Lesson 3282

 (Lesson 3282)(12-28-20) Mark 6:30-44

    “And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. And they departed into a desert place by ship privately. And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him. And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed: Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat. He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat? He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes. And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. And they did all eat, and were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus performed the miracle of the loaves and fishes whereat He fed five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two small fishes.~

Lesson 3281

 (Lesson 3281)(12-27-20) Mark 6:15-29

    “And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets. But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead. For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her. For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife. Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not: For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee; And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom. And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist. And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist. And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her. And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother. And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.”

   Today’s quote relates the beheading of John the Baptist and explains why Herod had it done.~

Lesson 3280

 (Lesson 3280)(12-26-20) Mark 6:7-14

    And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. And they went out, and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus sent out His chosen twelve, in pairs, to preach the coming the Messiah. They were given instructions to teach that their fellow Jews to repent toward the coming of the Messiah. They took nothing with them bur their faith.

    Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we, today, had such faith?~

Lesson 3279

 (Lesson 3279)(12-25-20) Mark 6:1-6

    “And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.”

    Today’s quote relates that Jesus returned to His on land and worked many miracles while teaching to coming of His kingdom.~

Lesson 3278

 (Lesson 3278)(12-24-20) Mark 5:21-43

    “And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea. And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him. And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.”

    Today’s quote relates two more incredible miracles that Jesus performed. They both demonstrate that anything can be accomplished by God through faith in Jesus.~

Lesson 3277

(Lesson 3277)(12-23-20) Mark 5:1-20

    “And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea. And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done. And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts. And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.”

   Today’s quote relates how Jesus removed an unclean spirit, freeing “ the Legion” to spread the news of the glory and power of Jesus throughout the land.~

Lesson 3276

 (Lesson 3276)(12-22-20) Mark 4:35-41

    “ And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

    In today’s quote, Jesus demonstrated His absolute and unconditional faith by causing the winds and sea to calm. 

    We should all realize that those of us who have been born again by faith in the amazing saving grace of God through Jesus Christ, can accomplish the same miracles that Jesus performed. All we need to is ask.~

Lesson 3275

 (Lesson 3275)(12-21-20) Mark 4:23-34

    “If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath. And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it. And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus warned His apostles, (as well as we today who read the bible), to study carefully the words that He said to make sure that they fully understood the intent. Jesus stressed that point so His disciples so that they (and we) would not misinterpret them and go off on a tangent, not fully understanding what His words actually intended.

    To further clarify the intent of the overall lesson, Jesus spoke in parables to deliberately confuse ALL those to whom He was preaching at the time, knowing that He would explain the true meaning to those who would be teaching His word AFTER He had completed His divine mission to be a ‘one size fits all’ means of remission of sins for those who would believe in Him.

    Sadly, there are many today who do exactly what Jesus warned against. They teach parts of the parables that, Jesus Himself explained, were intended to confuse, without correctly teaching the explanation that Jesus gave.

    It behooves us all to study every tiny detail of the gospel of Jesus Christ so as to make ourselves certain of His intent, and to not be guilty of preaching misunderstood, and misleading messages.~

Lesson 3274

 (Lesson 3274)(12-20-20) Mark 4:21-22

    “And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.”

    Today’s quote tells us to let our work be public so that all can see, and it also tells us that it is impossible to hide things from God.~

Lesson 3273

 (Lesson 3273)(12-19-20) Mark 4:10-20

    “And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? The sower soweth the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.”

    In today’s quote, after He and the apostles had separated themselves from the others, Jesus explained the meaning of “the parable of the sower”.

     Jesus could only teach the coming of the new law of faith in parables so that the masses would not be able to understand, seeing that knowledge of the new law of faith would only serve to confuse them while they were still required to live by the laws of Moses. 

    Had Jesus preached in a manner that all Jews could understand would have been equivalent of putting new wine in old bottles which He had already stated would be unwise. Seeing that the old law of works could not be mixed with the new law of rebirth through faith in Jesus.

   Sadly, today, there are far too many who, still, in spite of what Jesus taught, insist on teaching the old law of redemption by works along with the new law of rebirth through faith in Jesus Christ in direct conflict with what Jesus taught. ~

Lesson 3272

 (Lesson 3272)(12-18-20) Mark 4:1-9

    “ And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

    Today’s lesson relates Mark’s account of the parable of the sower. Mark’s account that day’s events is very similar to the Matthew account and relates no significant differences. ~

Lesson 3271

 (Lesson 3271)(12-17-20) Mark 3:30-35

    “There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him. And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus made it clear that all of us who have believed in Him are indeed His brothers and sisters. We are the children of God just as Jesus was.

    The door to a rebirth as a brother or sister to Jesus Christ stands wide open today, for anyone who wishes to enter, just as it did in that day. All one needs to do is believe and ask.~

Lesson 3270

 (Lesson 3270)(12-16-20) Mark 3:20-30

    “ And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself. And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end. No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house. Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation. Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus, after healing many and casting out devils from those afflicted, was accused by the scribes of working those miracles by the power of Satan. In essence, the leadership of the Jews referred to the Holy Spirit, the power by which Jesus actually performed the miracles, as Satan. That, in turn, caused Jesus to warn that those who would so blaspheme the Holy Spirit that they were in danger of losing thier souls to eternal damnation.~

Lesson 3269

 (Lesson 3269)(12-15-20) Mark 3:13-19

    “And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils: And Simon he surnamed Peter; And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder: And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite, And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus ordained His twelve apostles, granting them the power of the Holy Spirit. 

    That same awesome power is, by the blood of Jesus Christ, granted to every soul who believes in Him, today.~

Lesson 3268

 (Lesson 3268)(12-14-20) Mark 3:9-12

    “And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him. For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues. And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God. And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known.”

    Today’s quote relates that Jesus continued to heal the sick and infirm in great numbers as they demonstrated their faith in Him.~

Lesson 3267

 (Lesson 3267)(12-13-20) Mark 3:1-8

    “And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him. And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth. And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him. But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea, And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him.”

    Today’s quote relates Mark’s account of the beginning of a plot by the Jews to capture and kill Jesus.~

Lesson 3266

 (Lesson 3266)(12-12-20) Mark 2:23-28

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

    Today’s lesson demonstrates that the rules of the old laws of the Jews, such as those governing the sabbath, took a back seat to the, then present and urgent, needs of those to whom the laws pertained. In other words, the preservation of life was considered more important than the rules that had been applied to the sabbath, (A required period of rest).~

Lesson 3265

 (Lesson 3265)(12-11-20) Mark 2:18-22

    “And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days. No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.”

   In today’s quote, Jesus, by using comparisons, very effectively, explained that the new law of faith could not be intermixed with the old law of works.

    It is very important to know that Jesus, Himself, COULD NOT preach salvation by grace, or rebirth of the spirit through faith alone. That would not be possible until after He had been crucified, buried and resurrected. If he had done so, He would have broken God’s law as it stood for all Jews until His divine mission was completed and and He had ascended back to heaven.

    Jesus made that point by stressing that it was unwise to put new wine into tainted bottles because the new would be destroyed by the residue of the old. 

    Sadly, that is exactly what many, so-called Christians, do today. ~

Lesson 3264

 (Lesson 3264)(12-10-20) Mark 2:15-17

    “And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

    In today’s quote, when challenged as to why He was eating with “publicans and sinners”, Jesus responded by saying, “They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” 

    The argument with which the “scribes and Pharisees” confronted Jesus in today’s lesson, is one of the major problems with spreading the good news of God’s amazing saving grace today. Most ‘would be’ Christians won’t go near the places where the grace of God is most needed. A bar is a perfect example. 

    Far too many have lazily brainwashed themselves into thinking the right thing to do is to park their bottom in a church pew two or three times a week, singing a few hymns and throwing up and occasional “amen” while totally ignoring the spiritual needs of those who are not sitting beside them.

    The assembling together of Christian people is a very important thing; However, as Jesus, very clearly, established in today’s lesson, we, the children of God, are to go to the need. DON’T EXPECT THE NEED TO COME TO YOU. ~

Lesson 3263

 (Lesson 3263)(12-09-20) Mark 2:13-14

    “And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.”

    Today’s lesson tells us that as Jesus continued to travel and teach of the coming of the kingdom of God, He selected Levi as another one of His apostles. Levi was a confusing, choice to some of the Jews, because he was a tax collector and therefore disliked by almost everyone.~

Lesson 3262

 (Lesson 3262)(12-08-20) Mark 2:1-12

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

    Today’s quote relates that Jesus returned to Capernaum and continued miraculously healing the sick.

    It also relates another contentious encounter Jesus had with the Jewish authority as they accuse Him of blasphemy.~

Lesson 3261

 (Lesson 3261)(12-07-20) Mark 1:35-45

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

    Today’s quote relates that Jesus continued performing miracles of healing as he traveled troughout Galilee.

   It is important to note that Jesus instructed the leper to go and present himself to the Jewish authority and to make an offering for the mercy of God as was required of the Jews under the Law of Moses. If Jesus had been teaching, what is now referred to as Christianity prior to His having been sacrificed for our sins, that offering would not have been necessary.~

Lesson 3260

 (Lesson 3260)(12-06-20) Mark 1:29-34

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

    Today’s lesson relates that Jesus miraculously healed Simon’s mother-in-law as well as all those who were brought to Him from the surrounding area.~

 (Lesson 3259)(12-05-20) Mark 1:21-28

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

    Today’s quote relates that Jesus went into a synagogue at Capernaum and preached to the Jews. He astonished them with His knowledge of God, the Law and Jewish history. They were also astonished by the demonstration of His power over a demon, one who recognized Jesus as the Son of God.~

Lesson 3258

 (Lesson 3258)(12-04-20) Mark 1:16-20

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

    Today’s quote, as it relates to the process of the selection of Jesus’ apostles, marks the beginning of the church that was established by Jesus.

    Mark’s account of those events differs considerably with the account that was given in the book of Matthew but the difference is insuficient to alter the overall intent of the scriptural narrative.~

Lesson 3257

 (Lesson 3257)(12-03-20) Mark 1:14-15

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

    It is important to note that, as is related in today’s quote, when Jesus began to preach, He was delivering the same message that John the Baptist delivered, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”

    To believe the “gospel” is to believe the truth. Jesus preached, in truth, that the His kingdom was soon to begin.

    It is also important to note that the message Jesus and John both delivered, was delivered to the Jews ONLY.~

Lesson 3256

 (Lesson 3256)(12-02-20) Mark 1:12-13

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

    Today’s quote relates Mark’s account of the temptation of Jesus. It does not, however, agree with the Matthew account in total.

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

Lesson 3255

(Lesson 3255)(12-01-20) Mark 1:9-11

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

   Although the author of Mark’s account of the water baptism of Jesus, by John the Baptist, differs slightly from the account of the same events in Matthew, the difference is so minor as to have no affect on the original intent of either lesson. 

    Jesus, the human man, by His own account was a Jew and bound by the laws of the Jews. Jesus, the Son and Spirit of God, was bound by His Father's law only. It is very important to keep that in mind as we proceed through these lessons.

    As a Jew, in order to be sin free within the boundaries of the law, and therefore qualified to be a perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world, Jesus was required to commit Himself to the commanded ritual of physical water cleansing, or as written, or as incorrectly written, baptized.  

    God the Father, upon seeing that Jesus, the human man, had completed the requirements of the law to perfection, immediately recognized Jesus, both in the Spirit and in the flesh, as His beloved Son.

    We must remember, Jesus WAS NOT baptized in water to become the Son of God, He already was the Son of God. He was baptized in water in order to demonstrate that, as a human man, He was obedient to the law and therefore worthy to be the perfect sacrifice and savior of all those who would come to believe in Him.

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

Lesson 3245

 (Lesson 3254)(11-30-20) Mark 1:6-8

    “And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.”

    Today’s quote relates the description of John the Baptist as he began to present himself to his fellow Jews and as he began to administer water bapisms as they were required under the laws of the Jews, and to preach the coming of the Messiah. 

    We should note that Mark’s account of those events bears the almost exact same phrasing that John the Baptist was recorded to have used in Matthew’s account, as that statement concerned the intent of the water baptisms he performed. 

    In Mark’s account the author cites John the Baptist as saying, “I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.”

    Mark’s account reconfirms that water baptism IS NOT the baptism through which eternal life is obtained, but rather is ONLY a ritual, physical cleansing in preparation for repentance. The baptism that rejuvinates the spirit of a lost man/woman is that baptism with the Holy Ghost that was, and is still, administered by Jesus Christ Himself.~

Lesson 3253

 (Lesson 3253)(11-29-20) Mark 1:1-5

    “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.”

    Today’s quote is the beginning of Mark’s account of the life and purpose of both Jesus Christ and John the Baptist whom God selected to “prepare ye the way of the Lord” . 

    It is important to note that, as was stated in Matthew’s account, John the Baptist  preached ONLY “the baptism of repentance”. The “baptism of repentance” was an instructed ceremonial washing by which the Jews rutually cleansed their bodies of the “filth of the flesh” in preparation for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. 

    John the Baptist DID NOT preach God’s plan of salvation. He couldn’t, because that plan did not exist until after Jesus had completed His divine mission as the worthy sacrifice for all sin. Even Jesus’ own apostles did not understand Christianity until after Jesus Had ascended and sent the Holy Spirit to enlighten and empower them.

    It behooves us to make the important distinction between the traditional ritual water baptisms (baths), that were ONLY baptisms “unto (toward) repentance”, and the rebirth baptisms that are INTO the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost and provide eternal life to all who will believe in Jesus Christ. ~

Lesson 3252

 (Lesson 3252)(11-28-20) Matthew 28:18-20

    “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

   Yesterday we discussed the actual meaning and intent of the word “baptizing”, as that word was transliterated and applied in Matthew 28:19. We established that Jesus, in fact, instructed His apostles to immerse (by teaching) all willing souls into the “name of” or into the concept of, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. That was to be accomplished, as Jesus said, by “teach"ing the word to “all nations” and demonstrating that Jesus IS the Son of God and that, by the grace of God, through faith in His only begotten Son, the lost can receive everlasing life. Jesus DID NOT intend of imply that we are to dip ANYONE into, or sprinkle them with water. 

    There is ONLY ONE remitter of sins. That is the soul cleansing blood of Jesus Christ crucified. Water baptism has NOTHING to do with the remission of sins. When explaining His baptism to His followers, John the baptist said, “I indeed baptize you with water UNTO (toward) REPENTANCE, but He that cometh after me is mighteir than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:" 

    In that statement, John made it very clear that a baptism into the Holy Ghost is the baptism that provides a spiritual rebirth.  Water baptism was, for the Jews, only a prerequisite to REPENTANCE as was required by Hebrew law, it was NEVER intended to be a remitter of sins.~

Lesson 3251

 (Lesson 3251)(11-27-20) Matthew 28:18-20

    “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

   In my opinion, the total misunderstanding of the actual meaning, and intent, of today’s lesson has caused many a lost soul to condemn themselves to an eternal hell through misplaced faith.                    The misunderstanding stems from a widely accepted, although erroneous, definition of the word ‘baptize’ and it’s grammatical variations. I’ll try to explain this error as best I can.

    The word ‘baptize’ was transliterated from the Greek word ‘baptizo’. (To transliterate is to replace a word with a sound alike word in another language. A transliterated word DOES NOT necessarily carry with it into the new language, the meaning or intent of the original word.) 

    Baptizo, as that word is defined in ancient Greek, simply means to place one thing into another, leaving it there INDEFINITELY to achieve a desired transformation, purpose, or affect. The ancient Greek word baptizo DOES NOT define the act of dipping or sprinkling someone, or something, in water. The ancient Greek word for dip is an entirely different word, ‘bapto’. 

    In today’s quote, the word “baptizing” implies that the apostles of Christ, as well as ourselves today, are to ‘baptize’, or immerse, all willing souls INTO, the “NAME”, (identity , or persona), of The Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

NOTE: We will talk more about this very important lesson tomorrow.~

Lesson 3250

 (Lesson 3250)(11-26-20) Matthew 28:16-17

    “Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.”

    Today’s lesson relates that, in a place already appointed, Jesus and His apostles met for the last time. 

    This short lesson is important because at the end of the quote, the author said, “some doubted”. Those words tie Matthews account to the account given by the author of the book of John wherein the story of doubting Thomas is told in full.

    We will again go over the significance of this in future lessons.~

Lesson 3249

 (Lesson 3249)(11-25-20) Matthew 28:11-15

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

    Today’s quote relates how the Jews payed the Roman soldiers to lie to their superiors about the resurrection of Jesus. That lie, however, could not keep the truth from being spread abroad.~

Lesson 3248

(Lesson 3248)(11-24-20) Matthew 28:8-10

    “And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.”

    Today’s quote relates that as Mary Magdalene and the other women ran to tell His apostles, Jesus appeared to them. 

    This Matthew account doesn’t exactly match with the other accounts of these events; However, as I have said before, the mismatches are small and have no bearing on the overall intent of the gospel of Jesus Christ to usward. ~

Lesson 3247

 (Lesson 3247)(11-23-20) Matthew 28:1-7

    “In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.”

    Today’s quote contains the most blessed and important statement every put in to any language. The statement is “He has risen".

    By rising from that tomb, Jesus guaranteed eternal salvation, rebirth and renewal to every soul who will put their faith in Him. Praise God, for that an amazing gift!~

Lesson 3246

 (Lesson 3246)(11-22-20) Matthew 27:62-66

    “Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.”

    Today’s quote relates that the Romans agreed with the chief priests and Pharisees to seal the tomb in order to secure against the possible theft of the body of Christ.~

Lesson 3245

 (Lesson 3245)(11-21-20) Matthew 27:55-61

    “And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedees children. When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.”

   Today’s quote relates The Matthew account of how Jesus was taken down from the cross and buried in Joseph’s tomb. Matthew’s account of those events match almost perfectly with the accounts of Mark, Luke, and John.~

Lesson 3244

 (Lesson 3244)(11-20-20) Matthew 27:51-54

    “And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.”

    Today’s quote reflects the events that occurred as our Savior gave up His life for our sins.~

Lesson 3243

 (Lesson 3243)(11-19-20) Matthew 27:38-50

    “ Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth. Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias. And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.”

   Today’s quote relates Matthew’s account of the crucifixion of Jesus. In this account the author describes that horrible, but absolutely necessary, scene as it unfolded.

    This lesson contains one of the more prominent of the several contradictions between the narrative accounts of the life of Jesus as that narrative is related in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. 

    Note that herein, as he describes the scene, the author writes that both the two “thieves” mocked Jesus as did the Jews and Romans. To the contrary, the author of Luke’s account describes the scene in a totally different way. Luke’s account says that one of the thieves repented and was forgiven (eternally saved) by Jesus. Luke’s account reads as follows, “And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise”.

    There are far too many today who will argue, against all reason, that every word written in the bible is to be taken literally. As we can easily see in today’s lesson, one CANNOT reasonably argue that both the Matthew account of the crucifixion events, and the Luke account of the same, can be reconciled.

    Do these contradictions alter the intent or validity of God’s word to usward as a whole? ABSOLUTELY NOT.

    This subject will be examined further as these lessons continue.~

Lesson 3242

 (Lesson 3242)(11-18-20) Matthew 27:27-37

    “Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. And sitting down they watched him there; And set up over his head his accusation written, This Is Jesus The King Of The Jews.”

    Today’s quote relates how Jesus was mocked and beaten before He was  taken out to be crucified. 

    Another prophecy was fulfilled when the Roman soldiers cast lots for Jesus’ clothes.~

Lesson 3241

 (Lesson 3241)(11-17-20) Matthew 27:11-26

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

    In today’s quote, Jesus was taken before Pilate where He was sentenced to be crucified.

As horrible as it was for Jesus to be killed, His life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension were all necessary parts of God’s plan for the redemption of mankind. For those of us who believe in Him, it is through faith in who Jesus is, and what He did, that imputes His perfect righteousness into us for all eternity.~

Lesson 3239

 (Lesson 3240)(11-16-20) Matthew 27:6-10

    “And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.”

    Today’s quote relates that the chief priests of the Jews considered the thirty pieces of silver paid to Judas for his betrayal of Jesus, was blood money unworthy of being put into the treasury. This lesson again demonstrates the hypocrisy of those Jews, seeing that they were guilty of making the payment from money that had been originally taken from the treasury. ~

Lesson 3239

 (Lesson 3239)(11-15-20) Matthew 27:1-5

    “ When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.”

   Today’s quote gives us Matthew’s account of how Judas responded after realizing that he had betrayed Jesus to be killed. The Matthew account says that Judas hanged himself in his remorse.~

Lessonn 3238

 (Lesson 3238)(11-14-20) Matthew 26:69-75

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

    Today’s quote relates that Peter finally realized that he had denied Jesus three times just as Jesus had said he would.

    As easy it was for those who were closest to Jesus to turn their back on Him, imagine how easy it is today when the name of our Lord Jesus is seldom even mentioned.~

Lesson 3237

 (Lesson 3237)(11-13-20) Matthew 26:55-68

    “ In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?”

    Today’s quote relates how the apostles of Christ fled from the scene as the high priests took Him away.

    The quote also relates how the leadership of the Jews began the sham trial that would lead to death of our Savior.~

Lesson 3236

 (Lesson 3236)(11-12-20) Matthew 26:46-54

    “Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him. And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?” 

    Today’s quote relates that, after Judas had betrayed Him, the high priests of the Jews came to take Jesus to His eventual death on the cross.~

Lesson 3235

 (Lesson 3235)(11-11-20) 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 quote tells us that His chosen apostles could did stay awake and stand watch as Jesus prayed at Gethsemane.

    There is something that, to me, is very interesting about today’s quote. Therein, it is said that Jesus asked God the Father to, if it were possible, release Him from the horrible task that stood Him. 

    Seeing that there were no witnesses to what Jesus actually said, because the apostles were some distance away and were also said to be asleep, there is no way to be sure that Jesus actually asked God to remove the cup. 

   What Jesus supposedly prayed, as it is written in Matthew, seems to me to be an addition to the actual even, put in place by the Roman Catholics in an attempt to play on the emotions those who might read the passage. 

    I cannot believe that Jesus, knowing from the beginning of time, that His devine mission required His death in the flesh of a man, would have asked that the task be taken from Him. Jesus was human, just like you and me but there is no other account that describes Jesus as having doubts about, or His displaying an unwillingness to fulfill His divine purpose.~

Lesson 3234

 (Lesson 3234)(11-10-20) 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.”

    In today’s quote, Peter swore that he would never deny Jesus. Future lessons will prove that oath to be patently false. ~

Lesson 3233

 (Lesson 3233)(11-09-20) 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.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus and His apostles were said to have eaten and drank what is today referred to as “communion”, or “The Lord’s supper”.  It’s important to make note that nothing was said, in Matthew’s account of that occasion, that even hints that the apostles, or we, as Christians, should practice that occasion on a regular basis. Jesus did, however, say the He would again break bread and drink wine with His apostles but ONLY when His Father’s kingdom has fully come.

    We will further study into the issue of the “Lord’s Supper” as these lessons continue.~

Lesson 3232

 (Lesson 3232)(11-08-20) Matthew 26:20-25

    “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, Jesus identified Judas Iscariot as the one who would betray Him to the Jews.~

Lesson 3231

 (Lesson 3231)(11-07-20) Matthew 26:17-19

    “ 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.”

   Today’s quote relates that some of Jesus’ disciples were told to find and make ready the place where they, Jesus and His apostles, would observe and honor the Passover.

    It’s very important to make note that they were about to observe and fulfill an ordinance from God that was established in Exodus chapter twelve. Therein, God commanded the children of Israel to commemorate the passover by locking themselve inside their homes and eating a very special meal. The things that were to make up that meal were very specifically ordered by God Himself. 

    I want to express the importance of that because almost every “Christian” denomination now erroneously describe what Jesus and His apostles did that day as something totally different.

    We will discuss this issue further as these lessons progress.~

Lesson 3230

 (Lesson 3230)(11-06-20) Matthew 26:14-16

    “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.”

   Although it was an intregral part of God’s plan for the forgiveness of our sins through the sacrifice of His own Son, this is one of the saddest lessons in the New testament. It relates how one of Jesus’ closest friends and followers sat out to get our Savior killed for “thirty pieces of silver”.~

Lesson 3229

 (Lesson 3229)(11-05-20) Matthew 26:6-13

    “ 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.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus gave a direct command that is seldom, if ever, observed by today’s preachers and teachers. Jesus said that the lesson concerning the woman with the alabaster box of ointment should be preached every time the word of God is taught. That was a direct command that was to be observed all over the world. Yet, I think I might have heard one preacher in my liftime who actually had the story in his sermon. 

    Those kind of bible omissions constitute one of the greatest failures in today’s Christianity.~

Lesson 3228

 (Lesson 3228)(11-04-20) Matthew 26:1-5

    “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.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus prophesied to His followers that He would be taken and crucified in two days. He knew that the Jews were already conspiring to kill Him.~

Lesson 3227

 (Lesson 3227)(11-03-20) 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.”

   The greatest lesson that can be taken from today’s quote is that we are to love and worship God with all that we are and that we should love our neighbors as we love ourselves.~

Lesson 3226

 (Lesson 3226)(11-02-20) 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, Jesus used another parable to explain that each of His followers have certain abilities and that we are to use those abilities to gain souls for the Lord. 

    It seems that many of today’s Christians take the place of the servant who got just one talent. They take their ability to a church pew every time the doors swing, but do nothing that will lead lost souls to Jesus Christ. 

    The signs of the times tell us that the time of Jesus’ return can’t be too far ahead. It is past time for us to work as hard as we can to reap the harvest before the Master returns to collect His due.~

Lesson 3225

 (Lesson 3225)(11-01-20) Matthew 25:1-13

    “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” 

    In today’s lesson, Jesus, using a parable, warned us all to be prepared for His return every minute of every day. Even so Lord come soon.~

Lesson 3224

 (Lesson 3224)(10-31-20) Matthew 24:10-51

    “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.”

    Today’s quote reveals the horrors of the things that will come before Jesus makes His triumphant return. 

    I highly recommend that ever serious bible student read and absorb the words that are written here. This lesson needs no further commentary other than to say, even so Lord, come soon.~

Lesson 3223

 (Lesson 3223)(10-30-20) Matthew 24:3-9

    “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. 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.”

    In today’s lesson, Jesus warns of the horrible things that will befall Christian people before the end comes.

    The lesson also warns of the coming of false teachers who are sent to deceive those whom have accepted God’s grace throught faith in Jesus. Those false teachers are here today. It behooves every one of us, more now than ever, to spread the TRUE gospel of Jesus Christ to every soul who is willing to listen.~ 

Lesson 3222

 (Lesson 3222)(10-29-20) 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 prophesied the forthcoming destruction of the Hebrew temple.~

Lesson 3221

 (Lesson 3221)(10-28-20) Matthew 23:13-39

    “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 quote, Jesus berated the Jews for their hypocrisy and condemned them for their superficiality. 

    Many of our churches today have become the equivalent of those same hypocrites.~

Lesson 3220

 (Lesson 3220)(10-27-20) 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 made it clear that there is only one Master, and that Master being God, the Father of all things, and Jesus as God in the form of a man.~

    Sadly many of today’s church leaders see themselves as the scribes and Pharisees of the time of Christ. They hold themselves up as being above all others. Jesus clearly said that we, the saved, are all brothers and sisters to Jesus Himself. None to be exhalted over another.~