Lesson 1035

(Lesson 1035)(07-14-14) Luke 23:1-25

"And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King. And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.

Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man. And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place. When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean. And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time. And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.

Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him. And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.

And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.

And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him: No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him. I will therefore chastise him, and release him. (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.) And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)

Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them. But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.

And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required. And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will."

Today's quote details the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus. It tells us that neither Herod nor Pilate could find fault with Jesus and how both wanted to free Him back to His people. Instead, the high priest of the Jews wanted the murderer Barabbas to be released and insisted that Jesus be put to death.

Peter recounted witnessing those events in Acts 3:13-15; "The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses."~

Lesson 1034

(Lesson 1034)(07-13-14) Luke 22:63-71

"And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him. And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? And many other things blasphemously spake they against him. And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying, Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe: And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go. Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God. Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am. And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth."

Today's quote relates the torture Jesus was put through at the hands of the Jewish leaders just before His crucifixion.

Jesus was hated among the Jewish hierarchy because He upset their apple cart, He destroyed the false illusion of their superiority they had cast before God's people.

The Jewish high priests and their minions, instead of ministering to the people and providing a spiritual link between the people and God, were using the temple, the people, and God's holy commandments, for their own personal comfort and gain.

Much of today's "Christian" leadership is guilty of the exact same spiritual crimes as were those Jewish high priests. Many modern "Churches" are far more interested in the comfort and physical well being of their membership than they are in preaching and teaching the amazing grace of God through Jesus Christ.

Because of their behavior, the majority of the Jews of Jesus' day were persecuted and scattered abroad. A much worse fate awaits those "Christians" who perpetuate false doctrines today.~

Lesson 1033

(Lesson 1033)(07-12-14) Luke 22:39-62

"And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?

When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him. Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly."

Today's lesson relates how Judas betrayed Jesus, and how the leader of the Jews came like cowards in darkness to take Him.

This lesson also demonstrates the spiritual weakness of the Apostles as they fell asleep while they were supposed to be watching out for Jesus. We know that the second coming of Christ is just as sure to happen as was His crucifixion, that very same weakness and inattention consumes much of what is called Christianity today.

The last part of the lesson exposes the cowardice and hypocrisy of Peter when, just as Jesus had said, Peter denied knowing Him three times before the rooster crowed.~

Lesson 1032

(Lesson 1032)(07-11-14) Luke 22:28-38

"Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough."

In today's lesson Jesus began to prepare His Apostles for life without Him near.

Jesus came as redeemer for the whole world but He was sent among the Jews first giving them first opportunity to repent and return to God, knowing all along that His people would reject Him.

When His mission among the Jews was completed, He turned their fate over the the twelve Apostles; "And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

Jesus clearly intended that Peter and the others were to continue preaching to their own people, He even appointed part of His kingdom to them, seeing that they were to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jesus again singled out Peter and said to Him, "and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." This meant that Peter, after He and the others received the power of the Holy Ghost, was to strengthen his "brethren". Who were Peter's "brethren"? They were not just those other eleven Apostles, Peter's "brethren" were ALL the Jews. Jesus assigned Peter as the Apostle to the Jews just as He appointed Saul of Tarsus (Paul) to be the Apostle to the Gentiles.

This did not men that Peter could no longer teach the Gentiles any more than Paul's appointment prevented him from preaching to the Jews, it simply meant that Peter's primary purpose was to teach the Jews.

Referring again to the authority of each of the Apostles, Peter was the first selected and was considered among the others to be and elder but had no particular authority over the other Apostles, or the Church. That intent was made evident when Jesus, once again in today's quote, referred to Peter's lack of faith, He said, "Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me."~

Lesson 1031

(Lesson 1031)(07-10-14) Luke 22:21-27

"But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing. And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth."

In today's quote Jesus, knowing that Judas would betray Him, announced that His betrayer was present and among the twelve chosen Apostles.

After a short discussion of which one the betrayer might be, the conversation turned to who would be the leader of the Apostles in the absence of Jesus.

Jesus then laid down the rules of authority among His Apostles. He said; "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve."

Jesus intended that there be no one Apostle in authority over the others, the strongest were to educate and empower the weakest.

This lesson disproves the Roman Catholic contention, as well as the same contention among other groups, that Peter was the leader of the Apostles, and that the Church was subject to the rule only one mortal man.

Jesus was, and still is, the only authority over His Church, He appointed no man to replace Him in that position.

The pomp, ritual, and hypocrisy that was demonstrated by the Pharisees and Sadducees Jesus so despised, is perfectly demonstrated by the historical and continuing pomp and pageantry of the Roman Catholic "Church". They go to great lengths, both in appearance and actions, to exalt one human being over all others.

There is only one man who is to ever be exalted above others, that is Jesus Himself. We, the saved, the body of His Church, are to regard no man as spiritually superior to another. Instead, we are to work together, uplifting each other toward the common goal of spreading the good news of eternal redemption and forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ our Lord.~

Lesson 1030

(Lesson 1030)(07-09-14) Luke 22:7-20

"Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you."

Today's quote tells us that after the site had been selected whereat Jesus and His Apostles would eat the Passover meal, and after they had sat down to eat, Jesus said to His Apostles; "With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you."

Today, "Christianity" in general believes the "passover" (Now commonly called "communion", or "the Lord's supper") is a meal of bread and wine that all Christians are expected to eat in remembrance of, and in tribute to, their belief in Jesus. Some believe the bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Christ as the meal is eaten. Both contentions are wrong and scripturally unfounded.

The ritual eating of the passover meal was a commandment straight from the mouth of God to the Hebrew people just before they were released from their captivity in Egypt. This is all recorded in the 12th chapter of Exodus.

The blood from the sacrificial lamb prepared for the original passover meal, was to be painted on the door posts and above the door of all the Israelites homes so that the death angel, whom God had sent to kill the Egyptian first born, would "pass over" that house.

That night when Jesus ate the passover meal with His Apostles, They were obeying God's command that all Jews keep that tradition until the end of time. " And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever." (Exodus 12:14)

I suggest everyone carefully study the 12th chapter of Exodus and learn exactly why this meal was so important to Jesus and His Apostles.

That night, when Jesus ate with His Apostles, He demonstrated that He was (and still is) the sacrificial lamb that had come to cause the eternal death angel to pass over those who would accept His sacrifice for their sin. The blood of Jesus is to those of us whom have accepted Him is as the blood of the sacrificial lambs that were used in Exodus 12.~

For more on this discussion, refer to Matthew's account of the passover meal. (Matthew 26)

Lesson 1029

(Lesson 1029)(07-08-14) Luke 22:1-6

"Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude."

Today's quote relates how, after being overcome by Satan, Judas Iscariot plots with the leaders of the Jews to capture and kill Jesus.

This lesson marks the beginning of the soul saving sacrifice Jesus would make for all who are willing to accept His grace.

This lesson is very sad in so many ways yet it causes great Joy in those of us who have reaped the eternal benefits of what Jesus' death, burial and resurrection, has done for us.

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."~