Lesson 4123

 (Lesson 4123)(05-07-23) Matthew 17:14-22

    “And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”

    In today’s quote, the weakness of faith among the apostles was displayed as they couldn’t expel the devil from the boy.

    The second lesson in today’s quote is that, if we have sufficient faith, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can do anything. However, I know of very few, who today, have that amount of faith, continually.~

Lesson 4122

 (Lesson 4122)(05-06-23) Matthew 17:10-13

    “ And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.”

    Today’s quote relates that John the Baptist was Elias returned as was prophesied.~

Lesson 4121

 (Lesson 4121)(05-05-23) Matthew 17:4-9

    “Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.”

    In today’s quote, God spoke from the heavens and told Peter, James and John that Jesus was His “beloved Son”. Whereafter, Jesus told them to mention the event to no one until after He had finished His sacrificial ordeal.

    This is another proof that Christianity, as we know it, was NOT taught until AFTER Jesus had been crucified, buried and resurrected.~

Lesson 4120

 (Lesson 4120)(05-04-23) Matthew 17:1-3

    “And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.”

    In today’s quote, as Peter, James, and John watched, Jesus was transformed and appeared with Moses and Elias.~

Lesson 4119

 (Lesson 4119)(05-03-23) Matthew 16:21-23

    “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus informed His apostles that soon He would be put to death at the hands of the Jews to begin His divine sacrifice for the sins of the world.

    Today’s quote also relates the scene in which Jesus referred to Peter as Satan. Remember, Jesus chose Peter to found His church, and now He refers to Peter as Satan.

    Peter wanted to be a devout follower of Jesus, but he just could not maintain the necessary faith. The weakness of Peter’s faith will be again displayed when he denies knowing Jesus three times. That will be exposed in future lessons.~

Lesson 4118

 (Lesson 4118)(05-02-23) Matthew 16:18-20

    “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.”

    Today’s quote relates that Jesus proclaimed that, starting with Peter, He would build His church. Again, it is important to remember that, later in our study, Jesus will refer to Peter as “Satan”.

    There is another lesson within a lesson in today’s quote. Make note that Jesus said, “tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.”

    During the entirety of Jesus’ ministry, Jesus, and His followers, taught that the kingdom of heaven was “to come”. It could not exist until Jesus had completed His soul saving ordeal, His death, burial and ressurection.~

Lesson 4117

 (Lesson 4117)(05-01-23) Matthew 16:13-17

    “When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”

    In today’s lesson, Peter recognized Jesus as the Son of God. I would serve us well to remember this lesson as we learn more about Peter and his true devotion to Jesus.~