Lesson 834

(Lesson 834)(12-08-13) Today's lesson is taken from Matthew 21:28-46;

"But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him. Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet."

Jesus presented the two quoted parables to show the high priests how, because of their disobedience, the "kingdom" would be taken away from the Jewish nation and given to the Gentiles. The parables also explained how God had sent many prophets, including John the Baptist, trying to get the Jewish hierarchy to repent their disobedience and to turn back to God. The Jews, however,continually rejected their pleas and even had John and the other prophets abused, imprisoned, and killed.

Jesus knew that the Jews would also eventually kill Him.

A few days ago, we touched on the importance of the coming of Jesus Christ as it related to the "God's chosen" status of the Jewish people. Seeing that there are literally millions of "Christian" people who today believe the scripturally misguided contention that the Jewish bloodline is what determines "God's chosen" status, we should do all we can to educate them that ONLY we, the redeemed, those of us whom have been saved by the grace of God through faith in the soul saving sacrifice of Jesus Christ, are now the "chosen people" of God. That "chosen" status, of course, also applies to any Jews whom have placed the faith in Jesus.

Verse 44 of today's quote makes it as plain as it can be spoken, "Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof."

As these lessons progress, we will determine more evidence that the Jewish nation holds no particular scriptural significance to modern Christians who are not themselves Jews.~

Lesson 833

(Lesson 833)(12-07-13) Today's lesson is from Matthew 21:23-27;

"And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things."

When Jesus was confronted by the high priests and asked by what authority He spoke, Jesus made a reference to "he baptism of John". He, in essence, asked the priests if John's message was from God, or if John had simply made it up. After reasoning how they should answer, the priests said they didn't know. Since they were unable to answer, Jesus refused to tell them by who's authority He taught.

I believe the most important lesson that should be taken from this text is Jesus' reference to "the baptism of John".

The vast majority of today's "Christian" population, when asked what is meant by the term "baptism", will respond with and answer that somehow concerns water, either by total immersion, or by some form of sprinkling.

The erroneous notion that "baptism" always requires the use of water has poisoned the minds of millions of would be Christians into believing that one must be "baptized" in water to be eternally saved. A complete and in-context study of all the appearances of the term within the New Testament, proves that notion to be untrue.

Just as Jesus used the term "baptism" in today's quote to refer to the message John the Baptist brought, there are many applications of some form of the term "baptism", throughout the New Testament, whereas those terms refer to something other than water as the medium into which, or whereby, a person is to be baptized.

A classic example of this is when Jesus described His own death, burial, and resurrection, as a "baptism", "But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!" (Luke 12:50)
When the entire testimony of Jesus is carefully studied, within the proper context, we find that Jesus was said to have actually used a form of the term "baptize" a total of ten times. (This total does not include the repetitions that appear in the different accounts given by Matt., Mark, Luke, and John) NOT ONCE out of those ten times did Jesus use that term to define a water baptism.

There will be much more said concerning water baptism and its place in Christianity as these lessons continue.~

Lesson 832

(Lesson 832)(12-06-13) Today's lesson comes from Matthew 21:14-22;

"And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased, And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there. Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."

The first portion of this lesson demonstrates how Jesus continued to perform miracles inside the temple as He healed the lame and blind. It also tells us how the Jewish high priests hated the praise that was heaped on Jesus by the children.

The intent of the second part of this lesson is very subtle and is easily missed by the casual reader. Jesus' interaction with the fig tree has a far deeper meaning than that which appears on the surface.

The fig tree, in this lesson, represents the Jewish race. By cursing it, killing it, and barring it from ever again bearing fruit, Jesus symbolized that His coming would take away the chosen status of the Jewish race, and would disallow them from ever again holding the keys to the kingdom of heaven.

In the last part of the lesson, when the Apostles were amazed at how quickly the tree had died, Jesus assured them, as well as all of us, of the awesome power that will be granted to those who place all their faith in Him.

NOTE: The vast majority of "Christians" believe that we are to defend the Jewish people at all costs because they are, and always have been, the "chosen" people of God. That belief, as the New Testament clearly demonstrates, is unfounded.

As these lessons continue, there will be much further discussion of how Jesus took away the "chosen" status from the Jewish race and gave it to His Church which would include the Gentiles.

"And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." (Matt. 3:9-10)~

Lesson 831

(Lesson 831)(12-05-13) Today's lesson if from Matthew 21:12-13;

"And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased, And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there"

Today's lesson is very appropriate to this "Christmas" season. Jesus, when he entered the temple of God, and saw it being used as something similar to one of today's Wal-Mart stores, He turned over the tables whereat the men were operating their businesses and He threw out the money merchants and those operating retail shops.

Now the temple is gone but, again this year, many "Christians" will willingly, and probably unknowingly, defile the very name of Jesus Christ by attaching it to a season that has virtually lost its original meaning. A season that has very little, or nothing to do with actually celebrating the birth of our Savior, and instead just as the operations inside the temple, has everything to do with vanity, avarice, and greed.
There will be a time when Jesus returns to this earth to re-establish His kingdom, and Just as He did in the temple, He will cull out those who abuse and defile His holy name from those who truly adore and worship Him. When, and only when that happens, will His honor and glory be restored.

"Even though Lord Jesus, come soon."~

Lesson 830

(Lesson 830)(12-04-13) Today's lesson is from Matthew 21:1-11;

"And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee."

This lesson describes Jesus' grand entrance into Jerusalem. There is nothing I can add to this lesson that would make it any clearer that it is written in the quote.

This blessed event fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 62:10-12, "Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people. Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken."~

Lesson 829

(Lesson 829)(12-03-13) Our next lesson comes from Matthew 20:29-34;

"And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him."

This lesson is another example of the loving compassion of Jesus Christ and further demonstrates His divine healing power.

We should take note of how Jesus responded to those two blind men as well as to the crowd that followed him. Even though the crowd scolded the blind men and tried to usher Jesus away from them, He turned aside and took the time to help them.

In today's societal rush, it is very easy for us to miss, or simply ignore, the muted sound of those who are weak and in need. We should always react just as Jesus did in the above example, we should ignore the noise of the crowd always listen carefully for the cries of the weak. We should always turn aside and do all we can to ease the suffering of the lost, no matter what the circumstance.

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up," " Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away." "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." (1 Corinthians 13:1-4,8,13)~

Lesson 828

(Lesson 828)(12-02-13) Today's lesson comes from Matthew 20:20-28;

"Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."

There are two different lessons within today's quote. The first demonstrates how the desire for influence and power affected even the mother of two of Jesus' Apostles.

By asking for the choice seats at the throne of Jesus, the mother of James and John was trying to position her sons above all others.

Jesus, in essence, then asked James and John if they were willing, as He was, to undergo an agonizing death, burial and resurrection with Him. When they agreed that they would, Jesus assured them they would eventually suffer because of their devotion to Him, and that they would indeed be with Him in Heaven. Jesus also told them that there would be no positions of power in His Church, the strongest are to always work for, and serve the weak. He then told them that only God the Father could assign positions at the throne.

The second lesson that is to be taken from today's quote concerns the two times Jesus used a form of the term "baptize and how those terms are defined, and what they mean within this context.

Today, almost every time anyone mentions either baptize, baptizes, baptized, baptizing, or baptism, it is automatically assumed that the usage, in some way, references the use of water.

As is very plainly demonstrated in today's lesson, when Jesus used that term, He was referring to the taking on of a cause or specific action, in this instance, Jesus was referring to His upcoming sacrificial ordeal. The use of water was not, in any manner, implied in what Jesus said herein.

The knowledge as to how Jesus applied the term "baptize", throughout His ministry, is very important to today's discussion of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is because far too many erroneously teach that in order to receive eternal life, one must be "baptized" in water when in fact, nothing could be further from the truth.

As these lessons continue, there will be much more in depth discussion of what the term baptism means to us in each of its applications within the New Testament.~